UPDATE! ~~
EXPLORING THE POWER
oD
SINCLAIR COMPUTERS
THE CAMBRIDGE 288 THE SINCLAIR QL THE SINCLAIR TIMEX 13-2068
Portable Power 32 Bit Power House Versatile Desk Topper
In this issue. .
* EXPLORING MS-DOS * LINKING COMPUTERS * GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH EASEL
* TS-2068 SPRITES * PASCAL * SLAVE PROCESSING * PLOTTING RADICALS
* PRINTER SET UPS * REVIEWS- PC CONQUEROR - FLASH BACK * Z88 HINTS AND TIPS
PLUS~ NEN ISSUE DISKS FOR BOTH THE SINCLAIR QL AND THE 75-2068
UPDATE MAGAZINE
1317 Stratford Ave.
Panama City, FL 32404
904 871 3556
NEws Awp New PropuctTs
LKD0S SOFT-WARE
MAXCOM 300/1200 baud Termninal/BBS
This full feature modain software lals you effectiviy link the modem ta the disk, so you can upload or
dawnload files larger than IOOK.This lets you send NMI saves and large text files us well as Basic or Code
files, which other madem prograina couldn't send because of memory iftnitations. Also files can be seal with
ar without 8 Information headar (Spec-term compatible) . ;
It also has » 64 calumn display and Is the only 2068 madem program that will run at full 1200 baud
without missing characters, Other features of the terminal made are IBM graphic characters, aute-dialer,
macro keys, HOK dlak buffer for captured text, auta repeat keys.
The BOS Is the most elaborote available for the 2068 and allows the remote user full access to the disk
drives similar to » CPM BOS, Features of the BBS are - 300/1200 baud, operation with fast reponce even at
1200 baud, Passwords, priority levels, Use Utne Mtinits, Multiple Message Bases, Uploads and Downloads are
not Shnited by Memory, Quai Windaw Monitor screen, Interupt driven tlme out and Hangup protection, Alsa
Keeps o User log of cailars Names and Activity an disk so a printer lant needed snd Its easily customised and
expanded.
MAXCOM can be used with the 2050 modem or with the Z-SIQ NS232 Interface and a 300/1200 baud
modem, (a version for the Aerco MS232 Is In the warks).
PRICE, $24.95
LANKEN OISK EDITOR
This prograin lets you examine or change any byte on a Lkdas disk. It (s useful in repairing damaged or
qiltched disks, changing the disk Nama or head speed etc. You can also exainine the track map and disk info
headers.
The documentation for the disk editor also Includes Information on how to access LKdos from Mactine
Code and Information on the structure of the disk catalog and data blacks.
PRICE: $15.00
SEQUENTIAL/RANDOM Access FILES
This utility Is 2 ram resident extension to the LKdos operating system and lets you create, read fram, or
write to very large date flles kept on disk, (t uses the commands OPEN, CLOSE, PRINTs, INPUTA, and
INKEYSU to acceas the files from BASIC. There Is also 3 high spead search command for finding a text string
within the data file, Using the TAB command, you can randomly access directly any record In a fle.
The ulllity Is easily used within your basic programs and has a lot of uses, from storing large date files,
creating larga spall checker dictlenarys or even converting yeu basic programs te an ascil text file .
This ulliity lets you take the Ilinits off of the data capacity of the 2068 Files on disk can be huge |
A simple data base program Is included on the diak to demonstrate the utility.
PRICE: $ 15.00
Coming Soon fram Larken Electronics :
ee The Larken Desk Top Publisher ## Produce high quality printing (like thia page ) with an epson compatible
printer and UXdos. The entire Hi-res grephle page Ia kept on the disk and scrolling though the page Is ae easy
as clicking the Jaystlek or mouse on the Icon type menu. Text and Graphic editing with multiple sized fants
will also be featured.
as Spell Checker for Tasword and M-Script ¢* This uttllty program will let you have your wordpracessor
text flles Le checked by a 350K dletlanery.
All Prices SUS ~- Specify tyne of drive when ordering.
LANKEN ELECTRONICS AmN¥Z NAVAN, ONTANIG CANADA, K48-I119 2
(613]-835-2580
UPDATE MAGAZING
SINCLAIR QL ISSUE DISKS (HIV)
The following new issue disks are offered for QL
systems of all configurations. The programs are
on either 80 track Diskette or MDV cartridge.
If ordering for MDV send a formatted MDV
cartridge. All prices are $22.00 (post paid) and
are guaranteed to satisfy.
1. "HARTUNG COLLECTION" DISK
Address and QSO file managers, plus a raft
of disk utilities. All in Superbasic. Lots of
tricks and hints for the progranmers. Requires
same knowledge of Superbasic or a yen to Jearn.
RUMINATIONS FROM THE QL EDITOR
1990 promises to be the best year yet for
the QL. There are lots of new hardware and
software products. Many serious QL users will
buy hard disks. 24 pin printers are catching
on. The Panasonic KXP-1124 (about $300) seems
to be the most popular choice. The book QL
Superbasic - The Definitive Handbook by Jan
Jones is available again through QUANTA. I
highly recommend it. On the software front
there is a new PC Bmlator, PC CONQUEROR, by
Digital Precision. We will be checking out in
detail starting in this issue. | Many QL users
have already bought it and others are wondering
if they should. The whole QL/PC connection is
going to be covered extensively in UPDATE.
TEXT87 continues to evolve as an alternative to
Quill having many more extra features for those
with 24 pin printers. I just released CHAOS
BUSTERS described elsewhere in this issue.
There is a lot of interest in this utility
software area. After all, this mess on our
desks was created by the carputer. We need the
power of the computer to tackle it.
rt just received the farewell issue of
Quantum Levels. It hurts us to lose such a
techically competent magazine. I'm impressed
-that all funds due the subscribers are being
refunded. We certainly owe a lot to Tom Bent,
Jeff Moore, and Basil Wentworth for their hard
work and high standards. We hope that they will
continue to play a role in Sinclair Canputing
with the QL. In the New World, Update seems to
be the only magazine left reliably providing
serious coverage of the QL. Since you are
reading this you are probably a subscriber, but
you can try getting other QL users to you know
to subscribe. [t is critical for us to feel a
demand in the coming months to insure that
UPDATE will continue to be published.. Also, we
each should support as many user groups as we
can and becane members of SNUG. If we fail to
keep our main communications trunk alive we will
all wither on the branches. Even with all its
quirks the QL is a remarkably capable canputer
and it has meny useful years ahead.
In this issue of Update we master PRINTING
with QUILL. This is an area of immense
confusion but Peter Hale guides us through how
to configure the Quill software for printing.
Next issue Bill Jones will explore the subject
in more detail. Also in this issue I will
explore plotting curves with EASEL, Bob Hartung
will review PC CONQUEROR. He and Bill Jones
will explore the concepts of Disk Operating
Systems. Dave Youngquist reviews FLASHBACK and
gives us a Superbasic program to put Directories
in a file suitable for import to Flashback. Tim
Stoddard provides the first part of a much
needed User Guide for the Trump Card. fe
Next issue continues David McCall's seriesf = = 2 ©. 7
on Windows and another part of Tim’s Trump
Manual. I will begin reviewing PC verisons of
the PSION suite with my Amstrad MS-DOS portable.
1990 should be a good year! Bill Cable, 00 fo we
3
"
2, "FENG QUJTer” DISK
QlUTer - QL UTilities to un-clutter your
disks and tapes. COPY, DELETE, FORMAT, PRINT,
VIEN functions. TURBO compiled for SPEED.
Multitasks and minimal key press. Also has--
SNAP SHOT - a directory colum or condensed
print out program. ALSO includes "VEGEMAT" - a
™ W
3, "FENG QLUSTer" DISK
QLUSTer - very similiar to QLUTer (above)
j but has extended functions using sane SUPER
TOOLKIT II features. You must have the Toolkit
(TR2_EXT) for this program. SNAP SHOT and
VEGEmat also included.
4, CABLE ARCHIVE DISK
ARCHIVE utilities and exensive doc file
instruction manuals. Programs are: REFIELD,
SCAN, SPLIT, JOIN, DIR, FILER, FREQ. For
Beginner to Advanced user. ‘hese programs
GREATLY EXTEND the capabilities of ARCHIVE and
the manuals lead one to complete understanding
of Archive and these extensions.
If ordering for MDV send two miv cantridges- too
many programs to git into one cart.
5, "CABLE HELPER2" DISK
A very useful TOOLKIT program for managing
both DISKS and MICRODRIVE. HELPER lets you copy
fron one medium to another, Read or Copy doc
files to paper or screen, repeat format miv
carts or floppy. Uses screen windows to see two
directories fran and to, copies over existing
files in disk miv, copy selected files. Does
not conflict with TR2.
Order to UPDATE Magazine, address on cover.
Check or money order accepted.
- until their demise.
get PUTER),
Shaper,
P) arseel Py
+ | Pew ished
The Boot Hill of Sinclair publishing has nore
stones than I thought until [ began reminiscing. [
subscribed to those listed from their first issue
These magazines taught me how
‘to use the 2x80, ZX81, 151000, 182068, and the
Sinclair QL. They also sponsored a sease of
camaraderie and cooperation amongst Sinclair and
Timex users and their supporters that has not been
equaled. I think that the Olsen family who
published SYNTAX likely can he credited with
starting this traditional spirit of $-T users in
North America. red Nachbaur, a Canadian whe
founded Syncware News, also had a lot to do with
building the spirit of this wmorganited but
cooperating group of users in two great Countries.
We ignored boundaries in our quest for education
and hobby: computing. fach successive publisher has
contributed greatly to continue a commmications
link across the great distance from the Arctic to
the semi-tropic and the Atlantic tc the Pacific
between Sinclair Timex users and their supsorters.
Most of us cut our “computer teeth” with these
magazines. We also owe them our thanks for
providing the media to allow entrepreneur designers
to reach us with needed software and devices that
have enhanced our computing abilities.
this era of Sinclair Timex publishing is about
to come taaclose. Update seems to be the last
survivor and the subscription support is
insufficient to allow continuance beyond this
subscription year, ‘the issue year ends vith the
Suly issue, which will be the closing issue.
My own part in the publishing scene as been
enjoyable, but a lot of hacd work. Subscriptions
never reached the level that would allow the hiring
af even a typist, and the magazine collating has
been by hand. ‘The writing part has been the
Foon
Jamary 1999
easiest. Copying and assembling 30,000 to 50,000
pages by hand (to save a buck) is not the way that
most magazines are published. I believe that you
will understand when I say that I have reached the
"bura out” stage. And I hope that this will also
help all understand why the publishers of Synctare
News and Quantum Levels made their decision to
close aut.
SHUG MAY GE THE LAST DEFENDER OF THE FOR?
Last year I offered “Update magazine on a
platter” to SNUG. I am publically renewing this
offer to SNUG for them to take over publishing
Update as the SNUG publication with the October
1990 issue. At last report SMUG had around 130
members most of whom are subscribers to Update.
The result of SNUG taking Update and continuing
would be a FOUR FOLD increase in SNUG membership
and a better chance for then to succeed in
accomplishing their goals. [ would invision SHUG
trimming Update to about 30 pages, which would
provide a modest profit to help support sone of
their other geals. Once Update discontinues
publication this chance will be lost forever. Alsa
lost will be the coummications link between most
af the active Sinclair users and their supporting
programmers and suppliers. Once this link is lost
it will be practically impossible for SNUG to build
itself into a viable group. In fact, it just wont
happen.
The two remaining issues of Update can be used
by SNUG to announce their intentions and to
encourage folks to re-subscribe. I believe that
$MUG has the responsibility to accept this offer
and prevent publication support from expiring.
The most important need that SNUG can fulfill
is the continuance of publication support. The
alternative is obscurity. . SMUG is a non-profit
organization operated by roleateers. .Sinclair
Magazine publishing for the past five yedrs has
also been non-profit, but accomplished by "single
volenteers”. If we could do it singly then SaUG
can do it as a group organization. [t is now time
for SUG to progress from the talking stage to the
doing stage and to fulfill their chartered
obligations.
My view is that SNUG needs courage and rigor
fron their staff to gain volenteers and
participation by the users. ‘that, and SNUC's
success, can only be achieved by continuous
publicity and a steady “sell job” im their own
publication. Sow is the time for SNUG members to
arite and give guidance to the SMUG staff about
this important need. And, that is bow it is for
the future support of Sinclair Computing in North
America (as I see it). Bill Jones
4
UPDATE MAGAZINE
15-2066 Activities
How Goes It?
There are now three predominent Disk systems
for the TS-2068. Their order of usage is:
LKDOS, Oliger SAFE DOS, TOS, and Aerco FD-68.
TOS DISK users hang in there with determination
but receive little support. User activities
during 1989 has been away from the Aerco FD-68,
mostly toward LKDOS. Quite a number of FD-68
users have acquired the LXDOS system and have
abandoned the un-canpleted Aerco system. The
FD-68 was my first Disk System and I did a lot
of programming with it. The first Disk version
of my "Smart Text" sofware was produced for the
FD-68. I became dis-enchanted with the FD-68
when its high power usage fried two of my
computers. Dan Elliott has the solution to that
problem, but the solution came after a lot of
users had fried their camputers and gone to a
different computer. It appears that few FD-68
users remain except the "CP/M Hacks”.
There still remains a nucleus of FD-68 users
who are dedicated to CP/M usage, which is really
the strongest asset of the FD-68. These CP/M
users are very self sufficient and specialized.
As to the DOS itself, Aerco never did finish the
source code to enable the most useful
extensions, such as the Numeric and Character
Array SAVE/LOAD and other features that LKDOS
and Oliger DOS have. nits incomplete state
the FD-68 DOS is far inferior to both LKDOS and
Oliger DOS, and it is no wonder that the users
have become disenchanted, especially when AERCO
is so slow and un-cooperative with user support.
There has been little participation in or
call for ISSUE DISK support in the FD-68 area,
so little that UPDATE will discontinue the issue
disks for the FD-68. If a sufficient number of
complaints about this action are received, which
indicate a demand, this decision will be
reversed. I have two of the FD-68 systems and
will be glad to resume work with the FD-68 if
there is a demand revealed. So, all are invited
to COMPLAIN LOUDLY. a
A good many Oliger DOS users have also moved
into LKDOS, keeping their SAFE system and using
BOTH systems together. Update began "heavy on
SAFE", then during 1989 became "heavy on LKDOS".
Of the two, SAFE DOS is faster. Both systems
have good EXTRA BASIC functions but LKDOS has
more functions, notably the screen window group
and Sequential Files. Update will try to keep
up the Issue Disk Program Library for both LKDOS
and Oliger SAFE DOS. But user participation is
needed to maintain Disk Software Support.
DOS SYSTEM SUPPORT
Quite a lot of NEW Software and Utilities
for Disk Systems have been introduced during
1989. Most of the new programs have been
generated by Update Magazine for the two
systems, The Toronto TSUG for LKDOS, and Larry
Kenny himself for LKDOS. Larry has an
outstanding "Sequential Files Manager” on disk,
and is about to release a Desk Top Publisher and
a Spelling Dictionary. Jack Dohany has kinda
made a career out of updating MSCRIPT. Now he
is working on improving a British Word
January 1990
Processor. TASWORD and MSCRIPT seem to continue
as the "Most Used” word processors, with Smart
Text being third. Update Magazine (Yours Truly)
came in during 1989 with "Daisy.B6é", a new
concept in TS-2068 software. This Daisy program
is a big expansion of the earlier Smart Text.
The Daisy Software is about 80K in program
length and uses MERGE extesively to boot in
program utilities as needed. It can de so many
things that it defies discription. Principally
Daisy is a massive Data Base program, supported
by its own Word Processor. Daisy has undergone
the acid test. I use it for half or more of the
publishing of Update Magazine because I can do
such good formatting with it. Why would I do
that when I have a Sinclair QL and its good Data
Base and Word Processor? Well, that speaks for
the Daisy software, doesn't it? And, I can
create the data files to disk, many pages, and
then order up the printing in one consecutive
print run.
The Smart Text software does most of the
above, but Daisy can handle much larger text
bases in memory before a SAVE is required-
about 20K or 5-8 pages. Both Daisy and Smart
Text can use Mail Files to print letters to
several hundred persons on a consecutive print
run- all addressed and perfectly formatted- even
to the signature line! And both have a Mail
Merge annex to create their own mailing lists.
1988-89 also brought in other disk software,
such as Bob Mitchell's View Calc for LRDOS.
Bob's VC made me buy View Calc on cassette from
RMG ($9.95). Imagine that! An up-scaled DOS
user buying a cassette software! I did it to be
legal using the View Calc Code. Once I loaded
the code fran cassette the trash can got the
cassette. Actually I was already a bonafide
owner of VC, but the program was purchased back
in 1864 during the Civil War. The tape was so
old that it broke when I tried to load it. That
brought on a project of rumaging through about
250 old cassette programs, and you know what? I
found that that mountain of Cassette programs
was just so much junk! About the only programs
that 1 kept was the "Hot Z"” series. The trash
can got the rest.
And there are some TS-2068 DOS users who are
still trying to make do with their old cassette
library! Anyone who spends 200 smackarcos for a
Disk Interface, then 200 more skins for disk
drives, and is willing to use cassette based
software, is kinda wierd. Anyway--
1988-1989 brought on other good DISK
SOFIWARE. "Mail Merge", a RECORD data base
software, was introduced by Update Magazine.
The Mail Merge software creates a group of
records like Mailing Lists or inventory records,
then prints them out to paper or to labels. Mail
Merge also creates "Outlines" for that type of
need. The Outline data base is flexible and can
be set up for any number of topics and any number
of sub-topics of each. Such records can be
endless, as the software manages the files in and
out of disk drive. Mail Merge also has a very
flexible print out with either a full size
printer or the TS-2040. Letter head stationary
UPDATE MAGAZINE
is also a print product, as well as Labels or
listings to paper.
Another outstanding set of DISK MANAGEMENT
UTILITIES for the Oliger DOS was introduced by
Update Magazine. ob Hartung is the author.
This "DOSDEX" utility disk manages Oliger Dos
Disks to a perfection. A similiar set of
utilites for LKDOS is available from the Toronto,
Canada TSUG.
More good software and utilities will come
this year. I'm working on "Dbasel", a huge
update to the Mail Merge program. It appears
that this program will be able to Sort by any
line of the records- by first group or last group
within the line. Also it will sort any number of
files IN DISK. Then we'll have the capability to
create and sort any size of a continuous file-
say 10,000 Mailing List records, by last name or
by Zip Code- or a similiar large inventory file
sorted by stock number or part name or re-order
level!
TS-2068 DOS users have it pretty lucky with
so much NEW software and utilities available. It
would be neat if more users would take advantage
and buy same of the good stuff. That would
encourage the programmers to keep on working. By
the way, try doing a similiar print out as these
two pages are formatted with your word processor.
This is done with the Daisy.B6 software.
The Update 15-2068 Disk Library
The following Disk software and utilities are
offered. The individual disk listings are given
by TYPE of DOS that the disks are prepared for.
The disks are available on 5-1/4" Double
Side Double Density Diskettes, either 40 Track
(360K) or 80 Track (720K) disk drives. If you
have a%5-i/4 inch disk drive these disks will
work in your system. Each disk has at least 300K
of programs and utilities. The price is $22.00
per disk (postage paid) (add $1.00 to Canada).
Checks or Money Order.
DAISY.B6 : A Complete 15-2068 Software System,
Data base management, Word Processing,
Autamatic formatting, Disk Management.
Over 20 integrated programs, including a
Mail Merge annex. For LKDOS Only. (Oliger
DOS users order Smart Text.) An Update
Magazine Software.
SMART TEXT; A versatile Data Base and Nord
Processor software. Includes a Mail Merge
annex to create mailing lists for
automatic repeat letters. Label printing,
Disk Management. By Update Magazine. For
Oliger DOS Oly.
DOSDEX : A set of DISK MANAGEMENT programs for
the OLIGER DOS. By Bob Hartung.
Sens eee
January 1990
VIEN CALC UPGRADE : the old PSION View Calc
program Expanded and Converted for LKDOS
with Spread Sheet Printer. By Bob
Mitchell. For LKDOS Only,
1968 UPDATE COLLECTION: The Mail Merge Software
plus the disk filled with utilities. For
LKDOS or Oliger DOS
1989 UPDATE COLLECTION: Filled with all of the
utility programs published during 1989.
LKDOS or Oliger DOS
SMART TEXT 64: (Coming) Smart Text software in
64 Colum Screen for use with the Zebra
O0S-64 Cartridge. For OLIGER DOS ONLY.
(Do not order until release is announced)
DBASE-1 ; (Coming) A new RECORD software, The
data base will be very flexible with
applications for Mail Lists, Inventories,
or just about any purpose one needs. Sort
by any line, and by first or last group
within the line. A "Sort Disk Files”
feature will allow one to create and sort
thousands of continuous records. (Do not
order until release is announced. }
1990 UPDATE COLLECTION: All of the Utility
programs being published during this
current year. (to be released in Oct.)
PUBLIC DOMAIN PROGRAMS: Update has Literally
hundreds of public domain programs, likely
as large a collection as exists. Most
have bugs of one sort or another. In
comparison with the above DISK SOFIWARE
the PD programs are miniscule, but sane
can be made into snappy "single purpose”
utilities. If interest is expressed we
may do sane De-bugging and conversions of
these PD programs and re-release them in
groups of 5-10 programs for both Disk and
Cassette. We haven't done anything with
PD in deference to SNUG and sane TSUGS who
have PD Libraries. What do you think?
|e ne |
NOTE TO PROGRAMMERS: YOU can join in with the
Issue Disk Program. All you need to do is
to write a "Mini-Manual" for your software
to be published, and supply the disk.
ane RO
(eae ies.
BACK ISSUES OF UPDATE MAGAZINE
are available in YEAR Groups for $18.00
per year (post paid) (add $1.00 to Canada)
Each year group has over 200 pages of
mostly useful programs and utilities as
key-in projects and MANY Tutorials for
Basic and MC programming. Available are:
1988 Year Group (All TS-2068 Supportive)
1989 Year Group (TS-2068 and Sinclair QL
UPDATE MAGAZINE
TWO MAGAZINES DEPART WITH CLASS
An Editorial
The Final Issue of Quantum Levels - SyncWare News came in the Jan. 1990
mail. The publishing group held the two magazines together for the longest
duration of any Sinclair Timex magazine. The principles are: Fred Nachbaur,
Thomas Woods, Tan Bent, Jeff Moore, and Basil Wentworth. Update salutes the
publishing group of these two fine magazines for their seven years of service to
Sinclair Timex Users. Update, I believe, speaks for the entire S-T user group
in expressing appreciation for their individual efforts. AND, the group went
out with CLASS! Every subscriber is to receive pro-rata refund of un-filled
subscription.
For those who have not been subscribers to SYN or QLs let me say that there
is an exceptionally good Data Base of instructional articles in the issues of
these two magazines. Syncware News covers the TS-2068 and TS-1000, and Quantum
Levels the Sinclair QL. If you do not have the magazine issues that pertain to
your computer NOW is your LAST CHANCE to enrich your library with valuable
information about your computer and its programming.
Good books deserve to be used. Because of the value and in appreciation
for past service, Update Magazine devotes the next three editorial pages toa
listing of the SHN and QLs issues that are available to you on a ~ LAST CHANCE -
Never to be Repeated - offer. These two magazine volumes are CLASSICS! They
may be ordered by single issue or by any number of issues. Get your missing
issues before it is too late.
Now imoiuding SyneWare Newsi
uantum
evels
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES FOR QL COMPUTERISTS
FINAL EDITION
veld an. 6
FINAL FAREWELL
ISSUE!
Quantum _Levels and SyncWare News
to close doors for good.
| with this issue, the 1980's Era of Computer Discovery
comes to a close. Sad, but true. See ‘From the
Publisher’s Desk...’ inside for the complete details.
UPDATE MAGAZINE
SyncWare News and Quantum_Levels
Back Issues
Most issues of SyncWare News and Quantum Levels are still available. The
cost is $3.00 per issue except where otherwise indicated. The cost
includes postage and handling. We will continue to fill orders for back
issues until December 31, 1990 or until our supply is exhausted. Please
include a second or third choice when ordering, as this saves us the
cost of writing a check for a refund should we be out of the issue you
want.
SyncWare News
Back Issues...
Volume 1 Everything you wanted
to know about the TS1000 or
2X81 but were afraid to ask!
Products, cassettes, LPRINT
hints, hardware projects. in-
cluding video, back-up batter-
ies, and joysticks, TYD*BYTES,
and Linear Sisultaneous Equa-
tions. 110 pgs.
$5.00
SYN Volume 2 No. 1 Forum
colusn nin) $2068 BASIC,
TS2068 R¢ Ci IR:
Tl MG, re COMPEN-
ory fe Code Tutor
coletfn begin Ts1000 Oliger
Video Upgrade Part i. 20 pgs.
SWH Volume 2 No. 2 Decimal to
Hex and Back, SAVE/LOAD Utili-
ty, MEMOTEXT in RAM, PEEK,
POKE, and USR...,REVIEW: Timex
Sinclair Internediate Advanced
Guide, TS1000 connects to out-
side world, Relocatable HMC,
Oliger Video Upgrade, Part 2.
24 pgs.
SWK Volume 2, No. 3 REVIEW:
Spectrum Compatibility & the
2088 ROMSWITCH, REVIEW: Sky-
plot & Celestial BASIC, RE-
VIEWS: Hali of the Things,
Manic Miner, Jet Set ¥illy,
and Lunar Jetaan, 2008 Cas-
sette Connection, 2068 Charac-
ter Builder, FORTH, 2068 Bank
Switching, Decoding the EPROM,
Add RAM to the 2068, Basil's
Compendium. 24 pgs.
SWH Volume 2 Ho. 4 TS1000 Fast
Screen Clear, REVIEW: TS1000
Plane Frame, 2068 Yord Images,
Basil's Compendium, 2068 art,
Build your own EPROM program-
mer, Part 1, TS1000 Banner,
FAT Mscript. 24 pgs.
SWH Volume 2 No. 5 initial QL
Review, More 2068 Cassette
Connection, ZX81 MC in high
aemory, 2068 Quick Screen
Display, EPROM Progra:
Part 2, Basil's Compendius,
Off the Wall, REVIEW: Uploader
2000, REVIEW: Appointment
Watch, Customize Your Mscript,
781000 Move It, 2068 Print
Command Compiler. 24 pgs.
r,
SWN Volume 2 No. & Adding on
to the Gladstone 64K, 1S1000
Universal Printer Driver,
Building a 2068 Database, Part
1, Expanded 2068 INPUT -
prompts, REVIEWS: Astronomical
Software 1 and Planet Finder,
QL SuperBasic, Basil's Compen-
dius. 24 pgs.
SWN Volume 3 No. 1 dug Alert,
TS1000 LO-RES, 2068 54 column
BASIC, Put 2068 Machine Code
Co
in a DATA statement, TS1000
Audio Frequency Counter, 2068
Database, Part 2. 24 pas.
SWN Yolume 3 No. 2 Become a
Sinclair Tycoon, One Chip
Mods...Decode Your Byte Back
(TS1000), REVIEW: YS Megabas—
ic, 2068 Curve Tracing, TS1000
REM Generator, Read a 2068
Header, TS1000 Game - Fast
Times At Clairmont High,
Atomic Fusion EPROM Eraser,
Amazing 2068 PIX FIX. 24 pgs.
3WN Volume 3 Ho. 3 Off the
Yall, Tri-Base Arithmetic,
2068 Lotto, REVIEWS: Checkrec
and Household Inventory 2000,
GET: A 181000 Input Routine,
one Chip Hods: Recycle That
16K RamPack!, Basil's Compen-
dium, Bug Alert, REVIEW: Hot-
Z/Zeus Comparison, Dice 1000,
2068 Screen Copy Routine,
181500: Hore than meets the
eye. 24 pgs.
SWN Volume 3.No. 4 Basic Bank
Switching, 2068 Buggy Soft-
ware, ZX81/QL Regulator Bug,
i068 Tower of Brahma, 1000
auto Analysis (AI on the
181000), Upgrading XTERM, The
Fame and the Glory-contest
Honor Rell, TSiS00 Hi-
Send a 2068 Message. Special
april Fool Issue. 24 pgs.
UPDATE MAGAZINE
VIEW: War in The East, REVIEW:
Concept 3D. 16 pgs.
QL Vol 1 No. 2 Q Tips: Solve
those power problems, COMMAND
POST: SIN, SQRT, and other
commands, SuperBASIC Corner:
Procedures and Functions,
Investment Analysis - Abacus
Application. 16 pgs.
QL Volume 1 No. 3 Q Tips: SAVE
& LOAD, ICE vg. DESK: A Cot
paren ee sis Dex VAL",
ui) A stocase
aa Agiretaasic -
‘ibrot O): » Part 1,
aieseisiic Corner: LOOPS &
BRANCHES. 24 pgs.
QL Volume 1 No. 4 Condensed
High Speed Graphics, Mandel~
brot: Part 2, GPRINT: A BASIC
Screen Dump, Star Cluster,
SOFTWARE REVIEWS: Keydefi
Taskmaster, and TAXIQL. 16
pgs.
QL Volume 1 No. 5 Q_TIPS: A
Battery Backed Clock, Explor—
ing SuperBASIC, Overseas Soft-
Where To Get It?, Intro-
war
duction To ARCHIVE, Part 1,
SuperBASIC Corner: IF/
THEN/ELSE/ETC., DEF_THP: What
it is. 16 pgs.
QL Volume 1 No. & Q Tips:
Decode Your ROM, Three Game
Reviews: Match Point, BJ in 3D
Land, & Karate, Exploring
SuperBASIC, Playing with
Electricity, SUperBASIC Cor-
ner: FILES, TURBO vs. LIBERA-
TOR. 16 pgs.
QL Volume 2 No. 1 QL AutoDir:
A Front End Loader, CP/M on
the QL: A Review, Introduction
to ARCHIVE, Part 2, How the QL
Handles Strings: A Tutorial in
String Comparison, XREF: A
Review. 16 pgs.
QL Volume 2 No. 2 QTIPS:
Enhancing your gi keyboard,
Adventure Writing, Part 1,
Paste Art Review, QTIPS: RGB
output woes and fixes, Playing
with Electricity, REVIEW:
Ultrasoft's QKICK. 16 pgs-
QL Volume 2 No. 3 A First Look
At Sinclair's New 288, Q_.TIPS:
ROM Board Revisited, Adventure
Writing, Part 2, Network Your
Qi's, ONE_LINERS, Programming
By Procedure, A Date Printing
MC Routine. 16 pgs.
QL Volume 2 No. 4 ONE_LINERS,
QLTIPS: Comaon QL problems and
their fixes, SPEEDSCREEN vs.
TURBOQUILL+, Playing with
Electricity, Printing From
Quill, Adventure Writing, Part
3. 16 pgs.
SyncWare News
Combines With
Quantum_Levels
QL Volume 2 No. 5 Eying The
QL, The Solution: An IBM
Emulator for the QL, Program
ming by Procedure, Playing
with Electricity, TRA_BAS 1.1:
RS-232 Translation, To MG or
not To MG. THE SyncWare
Pages:2008 Custom Tape/Disk
Directory, Fractions,
TYD*BYTS. 24 pgs.
QL Volume 2 No. ¢ - The Final
Issue. This ig the issue you
are currently holding in your
hands. At the time this is
being written, the only thing
T know for sure it will in-
clude is this list. 16 pgs.
RRR RE RRRRRRRRER
ORDER FROM:
SWN/QL BACK ISSUES
The SyncWare News
Group
602 S. Mill St.
Louisville, OH 44641
Check, MO, VISA, and
MC accepted
RRRARAR RARER ERR
SWN Volume 3 No. S Build a
2068 Cartridge Board, 20¢8 RAM
on Cartridge, 131000 Mendel-
Plot Art, Location for Machine
Code, REVIEW: Stock Plot,
131000 Visible Sort, Sorting
through the 2068 Sorts, Up-
grading VU-Cale 1000, Custom
Keyboard Tip, 181800 Video
Topics, 1000 2K Textwriter,
2068 PC Board Aid. 24 pgs.
SW Volume 3 No. 6 REVIEWS:
Word Syne II.5 and Wordfont,
Put those Extra 2068 Banks to
Work, Basil's Compendium,
732068 Music Maker, Fun with
HOT-Z II (131000), TMS9918A
Video Upgrade: A Follow-up,
Use Logic, More About HScript,
TS1000 Halt Right There. 24
Pgs.
SWH Volume 4 No. 1 T31000
Error Reports, Redefine the
2068 Character Set, Basil's
Compendium, One Chip Mod: A
Built-In Non-Volatile Memory
for TS1000, VU-Calc and the
Taoman I/F, REVIEW: BBDOS~An
AERCO FD-ZX DOS, Ireg:781000.
24 pas.
SWH Volume 4 No. 2 2068 Label
Maker, TS1000 Advanced Calcu-
lator Program, 2068 Windows,
WRXL6 HI-RES for TS1000, 2068
Variable Save Trick, Basil's
Compendium, T1000 Wordsearch,
2068 Word Wrap Utility. 24
pgs.
SVM Volume 4 No. 3 REVIEW:
Extensions To Pro/File, Run
your Memotech 64K on the 2068,
ABC/123, Part 1, Hang-Mult
2068, Basil's Compendiua, one
Chip Mod: Kempsonize Your
Joystick Port, Structured
BASIC Tree Programs. 24 pgs.
SW Volume 4 No. 4 REVIEW:
TINACHINE, Program Segmenta-
tion, ABC/123, Part 2, REVIEW:
Chroma Soft, 2068 Piano,
Another Video Primer, Put
MSCRIPT on EPROM, Basil's
Compendium. 24 pgs.
SWM Voluse 4 No. 5 Put Your
Inkjet in Plotter Mode, Quick
Print Pro/File and Tasword
Files, TS1000 Mystery Program,
Yahtzee 2068, Upgrade to Hi-
Res Chese (TS1000). 24 pgs.
SWN Volume 4 Mo. 6 H*S -
Programmer's contest winner,
HULTSTEPS, Yet another ZX/TS
Fix, ANINALSLLL, Basil's
Compendium, PC8300: The 2X81
Clone, BBSing on the Unexpand-
ed 2068, Dot Matrix Bit Graph-
ics, Oliger DOS and the
Pro/File Cartridge. 24 pgs.
SWN Volume 5 No. 1 2K-SDP:
Serial Data Port, TS1000
Mystery Program II, Run
MSCRIPT w/Oliger DOS, Custom-
ize Your Sign Designer,
TYD*BYTS, Basil's Compendium.
24 pos.
SWN Volume 5 No. 2 Dear Read-
er, Using 2068 Report Codes,
READ, RESTORE, & BUMP for the
181000, 2068 VuFile & VuCale
Tape to Disk Conversions,
“Quick” Node for the TS1000/
181500, PC8300 Video Fix, A
2068 Spectrua Hode Printer
Driver, REVIEW: Rock Crush,
REVIEW: Beta BASIC, 2068 REM
Generator, HScript/ Oliger
Printer Port Compatibility. 24
pas.
SWM Volune 5 No. 3 Telecomm
Update, A Sound Approach
(2068), TYD*BYTS, Flagging
Interest (2068), Communica~
10
* diu
tions in a Flash (2068),
Geometry Plotter (1000),
Multiplication Tutor (1000),
Basil's Compendius, Bug Alert,
Off the Wall. 24 pgs.
SWN Volume 5 No. 4 REVIE!
HI*RES 2068/VIC-20 Plotter,
2068 Random Numbers, Basil's
Compendium, Memotech CIF
‘copy’ Fix (131000), More on
SNUG, REVIEW: Applied Sin-
clair- Subroutines and Pro-
grams for the Mathematically
Minded, Cryptograms on the
Computer, REVIEW: CATS Li-
brary, ETAMITLU--Word Proce
sor, Stitches In Time, Tiae
Bomb (TS1000 game), TS1000
World Geography. 24 pgs.
SWN Volume 5 No. S Off the
Wall, Instant Sorting (280
Machine Code), 2068 Window,
Getting Looped (more 280 HC),
A Challenge, Getting Started
with Beta BASIC, Part 1,
ADDITION ~ A 'TRAINing' Pro-
gram (2068), Letter Scramble.
24 pgs.
SWN Volume 5 No. 6 TYD*BYTS,
NVM and the 2068, Share~
Ware—The T/S Lifeline?,
Getting Started With Beta
BASIC, Part 2, Basil's Coapen-
The Old Gent's Flowchar~
ter, The Dunnington Flowchar-
ter, Nation Landmark Quiz. 26
pgs.
QUANTUM LEVELS
BACK ISSUES...
QL Volume 1 Wo. 1 The American
QL: A Peek Inside, QL Circuit
Board Layout and Parts List,
Composite COLOR on the Qt,
Inside SuperBASIC: Tip No. 1,
Stopping Black Screenitis, RE-
UPDATE MAGAZINE January 1990
#000 AND WIND COMPUTING
Bill Cable : RR 2 Box 92 : Cornish, NH 03745 : 603 675 2218
Cable Colum
I was pleased to see that in the October & November issues of QL World they gave considerble
space to ARCHIVE, the PSION database program we all have. Those of you who have followed this
colum know that I have high regard for ARCHIVE and have tried to promote it use by more US QL
users, Its programming language is what I do most of my QL software development in. If you are
not using a database or rmmning database type programs you are missing out on a lot of what your
QL can do for you.
Below we will examine the PSION program EASEL as it can be used for plotting mathematical
curves. All QL users should be able to do the example even if the are using a TV as a monitor.
If you have never used FASEL give it a try.
PLOTTING CURVES WITH EASEL (Business Graphics)
Easel is the most fum of the PSION programs to play with. EASEL is a very easy to use and
powerful graphics program and the QL is a flexible graphics computer. In fact the QL version of
EASEL has better graphics than PSION's PC version of EASEL on a 286 with VGA graphics. Besides
simple bar and pie graphs as described in the manual EASEL can be used to plot camplex
mathematical equations. Multiple curves can be plotted on the same graph to see if they
intersect (have solutions). This easy graphical intepretation of equations enables one to solve
equations in a couple of minutes that would othewise require fancy software. I realize that most
readers don't need to solve equations but most of us have same interest in math. Its fun to
doodle with formulas and watch the curves appear on the screen and its so easy to do with EASEL.
Anyone taking a math course will find EASEL a real asset. Graphical interpretations in
mathematics often gives insights that are hard to come by otherwise. No need to buy more
software or write a SUPERBASIC program. Just follow the suggestions below and you will be
plotting curves in no time.
In the examples below I use EASEL version 2.1 as it canes set up for microdrive. You can use
your PSION config_bas program to configure EASEL for floppies if you have them and substitute
flp references where I use mv. First Iwill give a quick overview using EASEL for curve
plotting and then a 2 step tutorial with key presses in bold face. Be sure to refer to the
manual for more detailed descriptions of the commands and concepts.
Overview of EASEL
Easel: works very much like the other PSION programs. There is the help box at the top giving
us instructions and informing us of the various commands avaiable. Pressing <Fl> always gives us
help. Pressing <F2> makes the upper description boxes go away or come back. There are 2 modes,
data and formala entry mode and command mode. Pressing <F3> puts us in command mode. Pressing
<ESC> cancels commands or input and eventually puts us back in data entry mode. When in data
entry mode if we type a number it is interpreted as raw data to go in the current cell and if we
type alphabetic characters they are interpreted as a formula to be calculated for all cells.
Trying to do a command when in data entry mode or trying to enter data or a formula when in
command mode are easy mistakes to make. Just look at the lower left of the screen where the
input line is. When in data and formula entry mode you will see '2' and when in command mode you
will see 'COMMAND> '. Use <ESC> to cancel mistakes or switch to data input mode and <F3> to
switch to command mode.
Easel is always working with a set of data each of which consists of a location (cell) on the
horizontal axis (x axis) and a corresponding numeric value up the vertical axis (y axis). EASEL
can work with more than one set of data and so each set needs a name. When you first start up a
set called ‘figures’ is defined. If you define anew set of data 'x' and type in the forma
y=sin(x), EASEL uses the name on the left side of the equal sig,y, to be the name of a set of
data to be calculated fran what is on the right hand side of the equal sign, sin(x). Easel would
create the new set of data, y, where each y would equal sin(x) for each x. If the set of data,
y, had already existed then each would be recalculated by the formula. Even if more than one
11
ee
UPDATE MAGAZINE
curve (set of data) is on the screen at once there is just one active one. You can tell which
one it is by seeing what follows the ‘Current Name’ label at bottam cf screen.
The horizontal axis is divided into cells. When you first start up there are 12 cells for the
months of the year. You can move around the cells with <TAB> and <SHIFT-TAB> and if you move
beyond either end EASEL will rescale and add more cells. For simple bar graph applications
labels are important for cell identification on the horizontal axis but for mathematical
applications the cells will correspond to numbers an our horizontal axis (x axis) and we don't
need labels. In fact we rescale the horizontal axis to have so many cells that there is no roam
for cell labels.
EASEL provides two special terms to use in formulas that allow us to scale the horizontal
axis to our needs. They are cellmax (equals the value of the total nr x of cells in our
current scaling) and cell (ranges fran 1 for left mest cell to cellmax for right most cell). If
we scaled our graph so it had 100 cells then cellmax-100 and cell ranges from 1 to 100. If we
define a set of data,ref, by the formula ref=(cell-1)/(cellmax-1) then ref always ranges between
0 and 1 no mtter what our cell scale is because cell ranges between 1 and cellmax. Then if we
wanted to plot a sine curve in the range -2 to 2 we can set our independent variable x as x = -2
+ 4*ref, So x ranges between -2 and 2 as ref ranges between 0 and 1. Then plotting y=sin(x) will
give us our sine curve in the range -2 to 2. Note that if you have a mistake in a forma you
will get the message 'formla gave no values’. Youcan then use the arrow keys to edit the
formula.
If the graph is bar graph we can change it to a line with the Change (line) command. We can
pick which of our currently defined sets of data we want to see with the View command. We can
edit the text on our graph with the Edit cammand. If there is an area of the graph of interest
to us we can use the cross hairs (controlled by arrow keys when in data entry mode) to read the
values off the vertical axis. Getting values off the horizontal axis is not directly possible
since the values for x are not labeled. The best way I have found is to display the curves of
interest plus x (our independent variable) with the view command. Then use the Files (export)
command to export the data to a file. The file can then be viewed,printed or imported to ABACUS
so the actual values can be read directly.
USING EASEL
Dig out your EASEL (Business Graphics) cartridge and have a another formatted cartridge ready
to hold your data. Have all cartridges removed fram your QL. Reset your QL and put your copy of
FASEL in mdvl_ and your data cartridge in mdv2_ and press <F1l> (or <F2>). Easel will load and
you will see a graph with the months of the year along the horizontal axis. If you type in
numbers then they will be put in the corresponding months.
STEP 1 : Making a master graph for curve plotting
You need do this step only once because we will save the result to a file called
"curves_grf'. Anytime you want to plot curves you just load 'curves_grf' and start at step 2.
First lets remove the months fram the horizontal labels. We will use the edit command.
<F3> switch to command mode
e edit command
L edit labels
<F4> delete labe.
(do <P4> 12 times to delete Jan through Dec)
(note after Dec was deleted the graph rescaled its horizontal axis)
Now let us make 100 cells on our horizontal axis
<ESC> exit edit command
12
January 1990
UPDATE MAGAZINE
SESC> exit command mode to data entry mode
<TAB> move toward end of graph
{do many.many <TAB>s until graph rescales 4 times)
We should have 5 total rescales (1 in edit mode, 4 in data entry mode). This makes 100
cells. If you go too far then <F3>v<ENTER><ENTER> and <TAB> through 5 rescales. The examples do
not depend an the how many cells we have scaled but up to a point the more cells the better the
plot resolution.
Now let us edit the graph title
<F3>¢e1 command mode,edit cammand,edit text (move the cross hairs (with
arrow keys) to the 'T' in Title)
SENTER>
{Delete 'Title' with <CTRL> up arrow and enter : )
Plotting Curves<ENTER>
(move new title where you want it with arrow keys)
<ENTER> exit edit text
Now let us change the graph paper to remove all those vertical lines
IS<ENTER> fe) e. oh x to format 5
Now let us define our 'ref' set of data that we will always use to define the range of our
independent variable x. Ref ranges fran 0 to l. +
<ESC> return to data entry mode
ref=(cell-1)/(cellmax-1)<ENTER> a to define ref
<F32>CL2 change ref to line style 2
Remove the initial set of data 'figures' as we won't use them
<F3>Kk kill command
figures<ENTER> kill the ‘figures’ data set
Now save our master graph
Save command
curves<! > t_on mdvl_ and call
STEP 2: Plotting 2 curves
Let us plot 2 curves to see if they cross (a solution y=w):
y = xtxtsin(x) + x -1 x between -5 and 5
w= x*x - 4% -1
First lets load our curve plotting master graph. You saved it right?
SF3>L load command
curves<ENTER> load curves grf from mdiv2_
13,
January 19960
UPDATES MAGAZINE
Set up x scale. We have already defined ref
<ESC>z=-5+10*ref<ENTER> define x so it goes fram -5 to 5
<F3>cL2<ENTER> change x to a line graph style 2
Now plot y and w
<ESC>y=x*x*sin(x)+x-1<ENTER> enter formla y
SF3>cLO<ENTER> change to line style 0
SESC>W=x*x-4*x-1 enter formula for w
<F3>cL1<ENTER> change to line style 1
Now see how they look together
<F3>vy, WSENTER><ENTER> view y and w data together
We see that there are 2 points where they intersect and there may be more. We can rescale x
to a bigger interval and enter the y and w formlas again if we want to check for other
intersections. Return to the data entry mode with a few <ESC>s and move the horizontal wire with
the up or dow arrow key to each intersection. You will see that y or w equal about -1 and -2.5
at the intersections. You know that x goes from -5 and 5 on the horizontal axis so you can very
roughly estimate it to be about 0 and 3 at the intersections. More exact values can be found by
exporting. Typing : <F3>vx,y,w<ENTER><ENTER>fevalues<ENTER> will create an export file
values_exp. It contains the data names in the first line and each following line has the cell
label (null),x value,y value, w value. You can import it to ABACUS it or copy it to your screen
or printer to inspect it.
You can print your curves also
we view and print
A screen dump of the 2
curves as plotted by
FASEL.
| 5 YR ahasinOd #1 Vea HL FICK OS
MORE FUN WITH BASEL
I have only just touched om EASEL and curve plotting. I hope you are inspired to explore
further. I xeconmend reading Uren Fricke’s excettent articles on cwwe plotting and
pokymomiats = 2068 prt ing secti in the last 2 UPDATE issues (Jul 89, 20-21,
Oct 89, 24-26). You can use EASEL to plot the curves he describes and you don't need to program.
Be sure to use repeated miltiplication for powers (x*x*x for x cubed, etc) in the formulas. Also
the curves he shows have the axes rescaled for better resolution. Your graphs will have slightly
different shapes but if you check the details you will see they are indeed the same curvés>——~
14
UPDATE MAGAZINE January 1990
Using pattern tables to draw wireframe type characters is
used a lot with the Apple 11 computers since they dont have
sprites. This program uses letters stored in a string variable
to draw graphics characters with a magnification parameter. The
letters shown in figure 1 direct the drawing in 8 directions.
An upper case letter will move the pixel position and plot
it. eg. If A$="RDLU" - a box would be drawn (right down left up).
The LPRINT command preceeded by RAND USR $0000: is used to pass
the parameters to the machine code routine. The syntax is: RAND
uUSR 50000: LPRINT x$, magnification, x coord, y coord.
=x$= (or any string var) holds the pattern string.
-Magnifyz 0 to 9 (10 to 19 will un-plot the same pattern).
-X coord= starting X coordinate ;
-Y coord= starting Y coordinat
- all parameters can be numbers, formulae, or
expressions. You can also have more than one character drawn in
one LPPRINT statement by separating sets of parameters by semi
colons.
Enter the assembly language programs using an assembler such
as the ZEUS assembler ( available from RMG@ Enterprises ) and
save ths source code file before typing in the Basic program.
All numbers are decimal unless preceeded by #.
This program also demonstrates how to link BASIC lines and
formulas to you own machine language programs, Using the ROM
calls with TS-2@68 programming really simplify using formulas and
finding variables.
The Basic Listing is an example of using the wire graphics.
Keys 5-6-7-8 move the character about on screen. Keys 1 and 2
reduce or magnify the character size.
A large variable size character set could also be made using
this approach. If the character is to be moved about the screen,
you can increase the speed by moving more than one pixel at a
time.
Example A Zoom ab [Down x tg Example ra)
venga
oe. FRI * Spaive
A ®
Te” STO. . D
x : =~ &S
Figure 1
_
—
_
-—
00001 ORIGIN 50000 ; Assemble code at 50000
00005 ;Wire Graphics by LARRY KENNY - LARKEN ELECTRONICS~
00010 Chadd EQU 23645 } Current Char in BASIC being Interp.
00020 Start RST 32 ; Move Chadd to LPRINT token in BASIC
00030 Again RST 32 ; Move Chadd to point to string variable.
00040 LD HL, (Chadd) ; Check to see if the variable
00050 INC HL j is a string variable by comparing
00060 LD A,36 ; the character after the variable
00070 cP (HL) ; with a 'S'.
00080 JR Z,String ; Continue if its a 'S'
00090 RST 8 } If not, stop with Subscipt-
00100 DEFB 2 } wrong Error
00110 String CALL #2C70 ; Rom call to search for Variable.
00120 JR NC,Vfound ; Continue if the variable is found.
00130 RST 8 } If not found, stop with error
00140
15
DEFB 1
aA
FDN
00160
00170
00180
00190
00200
00210
00220
00230
00240
00250
00260
00270
00280
00290
00300
00310
00320
00330
00340
00350
00360
00370
00380
00390
00400
00410
00420
00430
00440
7 draw
00450
00460
00470
00480
00490
00500
00510
00520
00530
00540
00550
00560
00570
00580
00590
00600
00610
00620
00630
00640
00650
00660
00670
00680
00690
00700
00710
00720
00730
00740
00750
; then go to
00760
00770
00780
00790
00800
00810
00820
; Variable not found.
00150 Vfound LD (Strad),HL
Setpix
Draw
Nextpx
RT
RST 32
CALL EVALU
LD A,C
cP 21
JP NC,Interr
LD (Magni) ,A
RST 32
CALL EVALU
LD A,c
LD (Coord) ,A
RST 32
CALL EVALU
LD A,C
cp 176
JP NC,Interr
ADD A,16
LD (Coord +1),
LD HL,(Strad)
INC HL
LD C, (HL)
INC HL
LD B, (HL)
INC HL
LD (Strad) ,HL
LD A, (Magni)
cp 10
JR NC,Setpix
LD A,255
LD (mask)
JR Draw
SUB 10
LD (Magni) ,A
XOR A
LD (mask) ,A
LD A,B
ORC
JP 2,EXIT
DEC BC
LD DE, (Strad)
LD A, (DE)
INC DE
LD (Strad),DE ;
LD (Char),A
LD A, (Magni)
LD D,A
INC D
INC D
DEC D
JR 2,Draw
LD A,(Char)
LD HL, (Coord)
January 1990
; Store address of string variable.
; Move ‘Chadd’ past the first comma.
; Evaluate the Magnify parameter.
; See if the magnify
; parameter is out of range
; if larger than 20 then Int error.
Store Magnify parameter.
Move Chadd past next comma.
Get the X coordinate.
: Store the
; X coordinate.
: Move Chadd past last comma.
; Get the Y coordinate.
} Check to see if it is in the
} range of 176
; Jump to Integer out of Range Err
; Adjust it for bottom 2 lines.
A; Store the ¥ coordinate.
; Get the Address of the String.
Load the BC register
with the length of
of the String.
; Move the String pointer to the
; start of the data in the String.
See if the Magnify
} parameter is to erase or draw.
} Go to set pixel setup
Set the mask to
} Go to Main routine $
} Bring Magnify back into range
; of O to 9 and store
; Set the
7 mask to erase.
} Main draw loop.
; See if we are at the end
} of the String.
; Reduce lenth counter.
; Load the current Letter
: into the accumulater.
} Point to next char in the string.
; Store the String address.
} Store the current Letter.
; Load the Magnify parameter
; into the D register for
; a loop counter.
} Preset the counter.
} Reduce the loop counter.
; Get next letter if counter zero.
} Get the current Letter.
} Get the screen coordinates.
} Force letter to Upper case.
} If its a ‘Ut
; then go to UP
; If its a 'D'
} then go to down,
; If its a '2'
} then go to Right-Down.
If its a ‘v"
If its a ‘xX’
then go to Left-Up.
Tf itsva~'Y:
If its not a 'R'
then go to Left.
If 'R' then Inc
lo
} then go to Right-Up.
UPDATE MAGAZINE
01070
70
January 1990
00830 JR Plot ; Xlo it.
00840 LF cP 76 ; Tf no 'L' then goto
00850 JR NZ,Badchr ; Invalid Aroument error
00860 DEC L ; Dec X coord.
00870 JR Plot : Plot it.
00880 RTDN INC L ; Inc X coord and
00890 JR DN ; and Dec ¥ coord.
00900 LFDN DEC L ; Dec X coord and
00910 JR DN : dec ¥ coord.
00920 LFUP DEC L } Dec X coord
00930 JR UP } and inc ¥ coord.
00940 RTUP INC L ; Inc X coord and
00950 UP INC H ; Inc ¥ coord.
00960 LD A,H } See if the Y coord is
00970 cP 192 ; within range.
00980 JR NZ,Plot ; If ok then plot it.
00990 LD H,0 ; If past the top, then
01000 JR Plot ; start it at the bottom again.
01010 DN DEC H } Dec the ¥ coord.
01020 LD A,H ; See if the ¥ coord is past the
91030 cP 255 ; bottom of the screen.
01040 JR NZ,Plot ; If ok then plot it.
01050 LD H,191 } If so the start at the top again.
01060 Plot LD (Coord),HL ; Save the newly adjusted coords.
LD A,(Char) ; If the current Letter is lower
91080 BIT 5,A } case the dont plot to the screen.
01090 JR NZ,Nextpx ; Go back to next command.
91100 PUSH BC } Save the String length.
O1llo CALL PIXEL =; Plot or Unplot the Pixel
01120 POP BC } Get the length back.
01130 IR Nextpx ; Go back and do next command.
01140 Badchr RST 8 ; Invalid Argument Error if the
01150 DEFB 9 ; letter isn't recognised.
01160 EXIT LD HL,(Chadd) ; Load the Chadd pointer into HL.
01170 uD A, (HL) ; Repeat the complete Sprite routine
01180 cP 59 ; if a ';' is the next character
01190 JP Z,Again ; Go back to the beginning
01200 RET ; if not return to BASIC.
01210 EVALU CALL #1BE5 ; Rom call to evaluate the expression
01220 CALL #1F23 ; Rom call to put result in the BC reg.
01230 LD A,B ; If the number is less than 256
01240 cP 0 ; then return with out an error
01250 RET Z :
01260 Interr RST 8 } Interger out of Range
01270 DEFE 10 ; Error.
01280 PIXEL LD BC,(Coord) ;
01290 LD A,191 } This routine was in the 2068
01300 SUB B ; technical manual. (page 122)
01310 RET C ; It calculates the address of
01320 LD B,A ; the coordinates and the pixel
01330 AND #co } position.
01340 RRA :
01350 RRA ;
01360 RRA :
913
LD HVA ;
01380 LD A,B ;
02390 AND 7 ;
01400 OR H ;
01410 OR #40 ;
01420 LD H,A :
01430 LD A,C
01440 RLCA :
01450 RLCA i
01460 RLCA
01470 AND #C7
01480 LD LA
01490 LD A,B
01500 AND #38
01510 ORL
01520 RLCA :
01530 RLCA ; 17
UPDATE MAGAZINE January 1990
01540 LD L,A
01550 LD A.C 3
01560 AND 7 3
01570 LD BLA :
01580 LD A, (mask) 3
01590 LD C,A 7
01600 LD A,1 } This routine creates a mask
01610 INC B ; that will point to the
01620 Rotat RRCA } pixel in the display file
01630 DJNZ Rotat 3 (byte.
01640 BIT 0,C } See if pixel is to be set
01650 JR Z,Reset } or reset
01660 OR (HL) } Set pixel in the display file
01670 LD (HL),A } by ORing it with result mask.
01680 RET
01690 Reset CPL ; Reset the pixel by inverting
01700 AND (HL) } and ANDing the result mask
01710 LD (HL),A
01720 RET
01730 Magni DEFB 00 } Declare some room for Variables.
01740 Char DEFB 00 3
01750 Strad DEFW 0000 3
01760 Coord DEFW 0000 :
01770 mask DEFW 00 3
1 REM > SPRITE GRAPHIC DEMO <
5 PRINT "Use curser Keys '5678' to move"
6 PRINT "Use Keys 1 and 2 magnify
10 LET p$="RRRVZZZVXXXVUUU"
20 LET x=100: LET y=100: LET m=5: LET oldx=x: LET oldy=y
30 RANDOMIZE USR 50000: LPRINT p$,m+10,oldx,oldy
35 LET m=m-(INKEY$="1" AND m>0)+(INKEYS="2" AND m<9)
40 RANDOMIZE USR 50000: LPRINT pS,m,x,¥
50 LET oldx=x: LET oldy=y
60 LET x=x-(((INKEY$="5")*4) AND x>0)+(((INKEY$="8")*4) AND x<
70 LET y=y-(((INKEY$="6")*4) AND y>0)+((( INKEYS="7")*4) AND y<
100 GO TO 30
500 RANDOMIZE USR 100: LOAD “Sprite.Cl"CODE 50000: RUN
PASCAL for the 75-2068 and Sinclair QL
This little note fran the Editor is to provolk thought. Quite some time
ago David Solly, of the Ottawa Group, sent in a masterful large article about
PASCAL. I was afraid to publish it because "T couldn't cope’ with its
advanced programming. Now we have ina following article a short and sweet
program (done by David for Larry Kenny). This article may whet the appetite
of many for PASCAL TUTORIALS. The article also ties in well with the next
subject.
J believe that we should start at the foundation level with PASCAL. It is
a very powerful language that we should learn. To David and other PASCAL
programmers: Lets go with same beginner tutorials and lead into the power and
speed of PASCAL. Most colleges teach Pascal but few have the time and
opportunity to enroll.
Developing Periphreals for IN OUT Job Control
Have you seen ads offering simple "Z80 Development Boards” for around $150?
These boards are “less than the equilivant" of a TS-1000 circuit board, and
are used for designers to access the 280 CPU for dedicated tasks. Many of us
have from one to a dozen TS-1000 computers or circuit boards that can be put
to use as "Slave Processors". Larry Kenny is doing it to control a milling
machine. The principles are discussed broadly in the article “Slave
Processing”, and is applicable to any HOST Computer.
18
UPDATE MAGAZINE January 1990
iat EG ¢T UMEMACHINE?
VETSON RETWEEM
TLED 31
rey benny
st
a
a
b
i
a
=
and
(= a
Fecently i have been we ing on using my T0438 ty control a
avis drilling img machine using stepper motors. To make the
machin? move in arcs and circles j needed to use the sine and
cosine functions i the 2968 rom. After trying some basic and
machine Language (using the fp interpreter reutines i found
Tdnk reg nearly fast enough to keep the
speed.
KS int a long time Hi-Soft Pascal user to
ng its sine’ epsine funct ns SO i
ic and compiled basic (Time
could tegk il a EOS ae
Machine © Novel Soft). 7 :
The test program plots around a circle 100 times. Here are the
results.
O4R | 150 seconds
126 seconds
Compiled Re
HI-S0FT FA. 18 seconds
view | The pasral really flies even when doing Floating point
math. Tl has all_its own math rontines built in and doesnt do
any rom calls. That also means that the compiled code can be
burnk into an eprem and run on a 280 based cpu without the timex
rem residank
The «cmpi le slightly fa ster that reqular ba’
when the floating point routines are used. Even calling the 2
FP routines from machine code doesnt make much difference.
TF you are writing a program that does a lut of calculations
euch as a spread sheet, $d graphics, or Cad etc, pascal wil] far
cuitperform Basic.
Basie if onl
i=
pon the-
sted in 2968 pascal can leave a messa
DOS disk
Anyone inter x
Ottawa TS BES ak (413) 745-8828 . If you have a
system i have converted pascals internal file reutines for disk
jAstead of tape. There are also numerous pascal source files
nn the BES. the BRS runs 24 hours a day an a 2008 using Larken
Maxcam.
2068 BASIC Gircle listing
REM ! OFEN_# iMeeded for Time-Machine only)
* LET RAD =_59.
FOR 4-9 TO 628 STEP .5
y PLAT BG + RAD * SIN A, BC+ RAD * COS A
NEXT A
FRINT "END OF PROGRAM "
HISQFT Fascal circle listing
FROGRAM CIRCLE;
5
i)
1) PROCEDURE CIRC;
tL CONST RAG =S0;
12 VAR a
4
ms & + REAL; ON + BOOLEAN;
ia) BFOIN
ww A s= 9; OM += TRUE;
1é REPEAT
JT : PLOT (80 + RAD * SIN(A) y
ig (80 + RAD #* COSIA))3
19 a a §
29 UNTIL A
Zt END;
23 BFRIM CMATH PROGE CHIT
a CERty
VIRITELN (EHD OF PROGRAM’) 3 19
UPDATE MAGAZINE
~ SLAVE CHU PROCESSING -
Appbicable to ANY Host Commuter
by: Bill Jones
Consider a shopping list of 50 items that
you make up before going to the shopping
mall. Ten items are filled at the first
store, amd you prepare to depart. The
store manager sez, "Friend, give me half of
the items left on the list and I'll send
out to get them while you're finding the
other items". If we do that we are
"multitasking" the shopping list.
«se. Normally, the TS-2068 operates in "one
store at a time". The shelves in the store
may contain a disk drive, a monitor, a
printer, a modem; and the CPU of the
TS-2068 uses one of the items at a time.
The other items are just sitting there
waiting. Really, it would be convenient
and time saving to be able to use the
printer while focusing upon another job to
be accomplished. Or, we could perhaps be
communicating with Compu Serve while
printing a document. All we need to do in
order to SHARE or use other periphreal
devices is to have another CPU in
operation, ard a "messenger" to send a flag
signal to the other CPU to get started
doing something. The "Slave" CPU could be
one of our TS-1000 computers that are
collecting dust, or available: at a hock
shop for $9.95. 7
-----The Slave TS-1000 could be programmed
to do as much and as many tasks as our
trusty TS-2068 normally does. But, it
would wait until a messenger told it to do
something.
The "Messenger" would be a small
plug-on circuit board, or an interface.
Then anytime we pulled up a menu ard
punched "S for Slave", the TS-1000 would
wake up and return a question, "Whata you
want done, Boss?", and would present a menu
of things that it is programmed to do.
Once we put it to work, we continue doing
things with the Master TS-2068.
In a multitasking system there is
usually an interface that acts as the
Messenger between the two CPU'S. This
interface is called a "Temporary Master
Access Control Circuit" (TMAC). The TMAC
controls INPUT ard OUIPUT devices such as
printers, modems, etc, amd which CPU has
control. The TMAC therefore prevents more
than one CPU from accessing the same device
20
January 1990
at the same time.
——-There are several ways of avoiding
this type of system clash. ‘wo of the more
common methods are to use a INTERRUPT
DRIVEN System (IDS), or to use TEMPORARY
MASTER ACCESS (TMA).
—---In a IDS system, an INTERRUPT is
initiated by the Slave processor to the
Master Processor when it requests the use
of a system resource. The slave processor
is programmed within its own ROM or RAM to
do functions operating under self control.
When the Slave CPU needs a periphreal, it
interrups the Master CPU to tell it to
disconnect from that periphreal. Depending
upon the PRICRITY, the Master CPU may
disconnect or it may send a WAIT signal
back. Eventually, when the Slave is given
control, it uses the periphreal, BUT is
still subject to being INTERRUTED by the
main CPU for more important tasks.
Eventually, when the Slave CPU is finished
with its task, it cancels its request for
control of the periphreal. In the
meantime, the Master CPU continues other
tasks that are not concerned with the use
of the periphreal that is being used by the
Slave processor.
---r-The difference in a TMA system is that
the TMAC (interface) is the resources
manager instead of the Host CPU “once the
host CPU has released control via priority
evaluation".
All of the above amd more are discussed in
detail in a book "Interfacing to S-100/IEEE
696 Microcomputers" by Sol Libes and Mark
Garatz. Anyone intending to interface a
TS-1000 to the TS-2068 for Slave operation
should obtain this book.
The Sinclair 288
Considerations for Periphreals Design
Since the 288 uses the 2-80 CPU, some of
our better interfaces for the TS-2068 offer
the prospects for easy adaptation to the
288 by BUSS connector changes and re-work
of chip addressing. Generally, the
engineering has been accomplished for the
2-80 CPU and its 8 bit capability. Oe
seemingly fruitful area is the Disk Drive
controllers for the TS-2068.
Exploiting the 280 CPU Family
With a 2 pound computer having the small
foot print of the Sinclair 788, its
interfacing and control of periphreal
UPDATE MAGAZINE
devices must be from the outside. This
isn't anything new, as even the IBM
computer has its BIG BOX sitting behind the
keyboard. The 288 is a "Lap Top" computer
designed well for complete portability.
Take it ona fishing trip, and if the fish
isn't biting, do some computer work! Or,
take it ona business trip to enter sales
information. But at home, it can be made
into a complete system including disk
drive, printer, big monitor, modem, and the
works.
----~Sconer or later there will be a 288
"Big System Box" designed to interface it
to all periphreals needed to become a Big
System. Lets explore the pose
~ ‘he Zilog 280 "Periphreal Controllers™”
offer a broad range of System Integration :
with the 280 CPU. This group makes up the |
"780 CPU Family". They are listed briefly; |
--The 280 PIO: Parallel INPUT/OUTPUT :
Controller. ;
--The 780 CIC Counter/Timer. t
--The 280 SIO Serial Input/Output. Hl
--The 280 SIO/9 Serial Input/Output. |
--The 280 DART Dual Asynchronous Receive
Transmitter. i
--The 2780 DMA Direct Memory Access |
Controller F
~The Z-UPC/U Universal Periphreal :
Controller
i
~The 2-CIO Counter/Timer and Parallel 1/0
Unit.
--The 2-PIO FIFO Input/Output Interface i
Unit
The latter offers solutions to interfacing |
between the Z80 bus ami any = other
asynchornous CPU, or between CPU and
periphreal circuits. It can also
interconnect components or sub systems that
are operating at different clock speeds. !
‘The main point in all of this is to
call attention to the existing full range
of capabilities of the Zilog 280 family of
microprocessors. They are there to be
exploited, amd the price is right for
building the Big System Box that turns the
288 into a full fledged desk top system to
complement its outstanding portable
capabilities. and, the users will be eager
to upgrade.
- (Processing The SINCLAIR QL -
Yes, we already have miltitasking capability
with the QL. But we do not have the
tremendous potential that slave CPU
processing offers. The Sinclair QL is
already equipped with good Serial IN CUT via
the two serial ports, which makes slave CPU
processing just a matter of developing the
outside processor board. Many have found
that “internal multitasking” with the QL is
quite slow because the QL is sharing its
21
clock with more than one program in
operation. "Co-processing” with a separate
CPU is much faster because each CPU is
operating at its own clock speed. The only
times when either would pause is when time
sharing of a single periphreal would be
needed, or to cross-talk needed information
between the two systems.
- Co-Processing The 15-2068 -
Already we have a number of Parallel and
Serial interfaces for the TS-2068 that can
serve as IN QUT devices to interconnect a
slave CPU. Each 280 slave can control as
much memory, and in the same manner, as does
the Host TS-2068. A slave CPU could, for
example, control another DOS with four more
disk drives. But lets not get carried away!
A typical BIG Systen is Larry Kenny's
"Camputer Controlled Shop", which I hope that
he will eventually share with us same of its
concepts.
MORE and still MORE!
Bill Pederson's next article "Sinclair Talks"
contributes greatly to the general thesis of
"Taking it to the Limit". Here we are, a
group of Sinclair Users who could be using
stock IBMs to do cur camputing. Instead we
use computers that never did catch the
imagination of the World's majority of
people. We are unique (if not eccentric).
Did you know that 99% of IBM and other
Computer users spend all of their time
learning to use "Commerical Software"? They
do not even THINK in terms of programming,
interfacing, upgrading capability, or the
concepts discussed in this article- or for
that matter, the general subject matter given
in most of the Update Magazine articles. If
you think that you and we other Sinclar users
are “behind the times" with our equipment,
then Think Again! Our computer usage is far
ABOVE the level of 99% of the Canputer users
in the World. We may not ever reach the
zenith, but we are definitely in the
stratosphere in comparison with the general
herd.
"It cannot be done” while
others go about doing it. And, some have
more VISION than do others. Bill Pederson
has been busy expanding the TS-2068 since
it first appeared in the American market.
Some of his approaches are unique and
deserve study. His article adds insight
into the ways of interfacing between
computers and the lack of standards used by
various computers for their CPU Buss.
Despite mis-matching buss connectors ail
Same say
Computers can be interfaced to each other.
Tf there is a will there is a
Way------------
January 1990
SINCLAIR TALKS TO PCYXT
Yes! You CAN use PC/XT parallel printer ports
for INPUT as well as OUTPUT. The source can be
your Sinclair printer driver interface such as
TASMAN, AaJ, AERCO, OLIGZR, or a special unit.
Do you hava TSi000, Spectrum or 1S2068 files on
which you might want to use a word processor? Do
you have BASIC programs you want to translate and
run on the PC? You aight want to transfer purel7
binary data. This might be grapaic images, 780
cade, or instructions to a printer-plotter. A
simple adaptor and BASIC program sakes all this
possible.
Because parailel syncaronaus transmission uses
the strobe signal as a clock instead of CENTRONICS
format, ABRCO and OLIGER interfaces present a
minor complication. Hecause they automatically
generate strobe signals, only half a byte can be
transferred at a time.
Figure 1 shows the standard printer CLPTa: )
ports to be found tn IBX and clone adaptor cards.
Under €MSDOS these ports are initialized and used
only to drive compatible printers. A small BASIC
program can be used instead of MSDOS to initialize
and use these ports for [¥PUT.
The synchronous input adaptor is easily sade
using widely available IDC type connectors and
ribbon cable. Ho soldering is required, but make
sure that short stubs of cable are used to engage
all unused pins.
It attaches to the end of any CBNTROHICS printer
cable. it provides nine OUTPUT lines ta the PC
and one INPUT. The ninth QUTPUT line is the
clock. The INPUT line is the BUSY signal. The
remaining eight QUTPUT lines is an eight bit data
bus.
When coatrol of the strobe signal is automatic,
D4 is reassigned to be the clock signal and D5-D6
are used for data nibbles. [t takes two transfers
per byte of data.
In either mode, bytes are transferred raw. This
lets you send any kind of data.
A BASIC program is used in each computer.
Machine code routines could easily be written to
do the same thing, but the average user need not
be concerned. Execution is rather slow, but it
works quite well.
SINCLAIR PRINTER
INTERFACE ADAPTORS
TASHAE
La8 #2 = A&J ABBCO/OLIGER
DATA Port 123°«123 66 127
STATUS Port 252 0191 65 12?
BUSY Sit Value L L 4 16
STROBE Port 281 02S 65 Auto
STROBE Bit Value 8 3 4 gone
ST3_OW 247247 4 Write Data
ST2_OFF 255 0285 0 Read Status
Thera is some confusion about identification of
TASMA (nterface types. | According to TASNAS
documentation. #1 is type A, #2 is type B. USA
bas an ambiguous documentation in the literature.
Jot all existing commercial interfaces are listed:
but if you have the porting data, merely
substitute that in one of the routines listed.
Hote that A& STROBE port inverts the signal.
This might also be true for iaterfaces uot listed.
TS2068/7SPECTRUM
Transfer Routines
1000 REX TASMAN #1 CALL with B = Data Byte
1010 LET BESINP 251: LET X=(¥T(BBV2): LET X=BB-I-X
1020 IF X THEN GOTO 1020: REM BUST
1030 QUT 123, B:OUT 251,247: REN Data out, Strobe OF
1040 LET BE=INP 251: LT X=I¥1(BB/2): LET X=BB~I-£
1050 IF BOT I THEN GOTO 1050: REM Wait for ACK
1060 OUT 251,255; RETURN: REM Strobe OFF
1000 REM TASMAN #2 CALL with B= Data Byte
4010 LET BB=(HP 191: LET X=1¥T(BB/2): LET X=BB-I-E
1020 IF X THEN GOTO 1010: REM BUSY
1030 OUT 123,B: OUT 251,247: REM Data out, Strobe OF
1040 LET BB=INP 191: LET X=[BT(BB/2): LET X=BB-X-K
1050 IF HOT X THEN GOTO 1040: REM Wait for ACK
1060 QUT 261,255: RETURN: REM Strobe OFF
1000 REX AJ CALL with B = Byte to Trausfer
1010 LET BB= [BP 65: LET X=(HT(BB/64): LET X=BB-
GAxX
1020 IF X>3 THEN GOTO 1010: REM BUSY
1030 OUT 66,B: OUT 65,4: REM Data out, Strobe OF
1040 LET INP 65: LET X=(3T(BB/64): LET X=BE-
643X
1050 IF X<4 THEN GOTO 1040: REM ¥ait for ACK
1060 GUT 65,0: RETURN: REM Strobe OFF
1000 REM
ABRCO/OLIGER CALL with B = Data Byte
1010 LET H=INT(B/16); LET L=B-16%H: REM Make
Hibbles
1020 LET BB= INP 127: LET I=INT(BB/16): LET X=BB-
162%,
1030 IF X>15 THEN GOTO 1020: REN BUSY
1040 OUT 127,168H+8: REM Msn out, CLOCK aT
1050 LET BB= INP 127: LET I=[¥T(BB/16): LET 1=BB-
16%X
1060 IF X¢16 THEN GOTO 1050: BEN Wait for ACK
1070 OUT 127, 16H: REM Msn kept, CLOCK LO
1080 LET BI INP 127: LET I={NT(BB/16): LET I=BB-
162K
1090 IF X>15 THEN GOTO 1080: REN BUST
1100 QUT 127,16L+8: REM Len out, CLOCK HI
1110 LET BB= INP 127: LET X=(¥T(BB/16): LET X=BB-
163K
1120 IF X<16 THBH GOTO 1110: REX Yait for ACK
1130 QUT 127,16XL: RETURN: REX Lsa kept, CLOCK LO
PC/xXT
Transfer Routines
100 CLS: PRIST: PRIST: PRINT” DATA TRAHSFER FRON
SINCLAIR TO PC/XT™
119 PRINT: (NPUT "HOW MANY BYTES? "; COURT
120 PRINT: (NPUT "FILENAME? ", FILES
130 PRIST: PRINT"BASE = 956 FOR DISPLAY ADAPTER
PRINTER PORT
140 PRINT"BASE = 888 FOR PRIMARY PARALLEL PRLITER
PORT
180 PRINT*BASE = 632 FOR MODIFIED PARALLEL PRISTER
PCRT
150 LSPUT" ENTER BASE ADDRESS: °; PDATA
179 [F PDATA=0 THEN LST PDATA=388: PRINT" DEFAULT
BASE > 838"
22 190 LET PSTATUS=PDATA+1:LET PCONTROL=PDATA+2
UPDATE MAGAZINE
190 QUT PDATA, 1:QUT PCOBTROL,4:REM BUSY,
Initialize CONTROL Port for INPUT
200 DEF SEG 16386:REM Assign buffer in memory
(640K assumed?
210 PRINT” Connect Printer Cable w/ Adaptor, then
CONTINUE (FS5).":STOP
220 FOR ¥=0 TO COUNT-1
230 OUT PDATA,O:REM READY
235 REM For TASNAM/A&J, full byte transfer
240 L={HP(PCONTROL):STB=L AND 1:1F STB=1 THEN GOTO
190
260 OUT PDATA 1:REM BUSY
260 L=(L/2) AND 7 KOR 5:H=INP(PSTATUS) AD 247 XOR
128
270 BYTE=H OR L:POKE §,BYTE:REM Assemble & Store
BYTE
280 LOCATE 21,0:PRINT N,BYTE,:REM Verification
290 STB=[NP(PCONTROL) AED 1:1F STB=) THES GOTO
230:REM Wait for ACK
9300 HEXT W:BSAVE FILES, 0, COUST-1: STOP
235 REM For ABRCO/OLIGER, nibble transfer
240 H=INP(PSTATUS):STB=H AND 8:1F STB=6 THEY GOTO
240
250 QUT PDATA 1:REM BUSY
260 H=H ABD 240 XOR 128
270 STB=[BP(PSTATUS) AND 8:1F STB=0 THEN GOTO
270: REM Wait for ACK
280 QUT PDATA,0:RBM READY
290 L=INP(PSTATUS):STB=L AND 8: IF STB=8 THEN GOTO
290
300 QUT PDATA 1:REM BUSY
310 L=(L AND 240 XOR 128)/16
320 STB=I8P(PSTATUS) AND 8:1F STB=0 THES GOTO
320: REM Wait for ACK
330 BYTE=H+L: POKE ¥, BYTE
340 LOCATE 21,0:PRINT B,BYTE,:REM Verification
950 NEXT NW: BSAVE FILES, 0, COUHT-1: STOP
(C)1989 William J. Pedersen
IEEE-488 for
SINCLAIR USERS
In ‘the pages of LIST there have appeared
designs for decent interfaces using 280 P10 chips
and dip switch settable addressing. There have
also been some very convenient specialized
versions which do only one thing well.
The lack of a decent source for general
purpose interfaces has kept most people from
taking full advantage of the features of full size
printers, plotters, and other non-TIMBX/sinclair
products.
Jobn McMichael has come out with a driver for
the COMMODORE printer/ plotter and color printer.
My personal congratulations to him.
It 1s nat widely known that the COMMODORE
serial port is a simple form of the [EBE-488 GPIB
with serial data transfer ia place of parallel.
lt holds ao mysterious secrets. What is needed to
do the same with a 1S2068, SPECTRUM, or QL is a
half way decent interface.
Half way decent means that the interface oust
be program configurable so all the pins on the
device to be run (printer or otherwise) are made
available as input or output - not just one unique
device, but for whatever you want to attach, A
single PIO will usually fill the bill.
HORRORS! How can a PIO be used for serial
communications? Doesn't it take a UART or an SIO?
It depends on how fast you want to transfer
data. A UART or SIO is very handy if you waat
your CPU ta handle bytes of data. The overhead
for testing UART status makes that slower than you
might expect.
If you settle for bits instead of bytes, all
the popular data transmission protocols become
available to you. When you consider that includes
Local Area Hetworsing and Mainframe access, you
might ask why nobody ever marketed a half way
decent I/O interface.
My guess is that people were so disgruntled
with the limitations of the 1S2068 that they
didn’t feel like trying. A few diehards have
stayed with it, however. Even so, their efforts
hava not been exactly welcomed with opened arzs so
they could mike a fair return for their honest
sweat.
The ancwer to this dilemm is to make a
series of small, but effective improvements which
will not bave to be redone later, and not so
specialized they don't allow other uses, 4 half
way decent interface is one of these.
Those who bave read some of uy previous
articles should know that I think the TS2068 is
inherently one of the mast powerful and fast
computers around, even at triple the price. It
suffers because of barriers in ROM and bad
documentation which have people snowed into
believing it was a comedy of errors and
mismanagement.
Don't you believe it!
_ Replace that accursed ROM and you have a
Jewel of a machine. SCLD video modes are highly
advanced; even better than CGA cards. How com
nobody has written any software which takes
advantage of it? All I have seen is a couple of
pieces of artwork.
A serious suggestion is to get rid of that
special connector arrangement in favor of one that
is commonly available. Why make everything depend
on stacking up device after device that won't fit
anything else? 1 have suggested that the [3M
connector is perfectly suitable, economical, and
has the possibility of accepting clone cards.
That vould mke it easier for our favorite
computer to stretch its wings. One of those cheap
clone cards happens to BE a half way decent
parallel port. Why pay mora?
The COMMODORE informtion shows how six 1/0
pins from a PIO (or even the joystick port!) can
be used to run their disk drives, printer/plotter
and graphic printer with your "obsolete" computer.
My reason for supplying this information is to get
you users out there to get off your duffs and
begin to demand (and get) better things made for
you. Support your suppliers by being willing to
pay what the products are worth ~ and they WILL be
worth it. SOUND OFF! The 1S2068 is still in
production legally and otherwise around the world.
That should tell you something. Everywhere but
here? Why?
Show a little support and wonders can happen.
Your computer is act just an obsolete toy. Slay
those software TROLLS with your support.
Did you catch that reference to the joystick
23
UPDATE MAGAZINE
port? Whether you missed it or aot, look for strip some insulation from the BAR cable and use a
"DR. STRANGEQUARK’S SUPER-DUPSR JOY GEYEEATOR*", smiil alligator clip on tae 16" wire. You can use
coming soon to your local newsletter. any method you wish.
AUARK* to this *ASTOUNDINGL7x !!GCOD NEYS!!
4DR. STRANGEQUARK'S SUPER-DUPER JOY GENERATOR?
Oh, SHADDUP!
Have you been barking up trees like a hound
dawg wita its tail between his legs futilely The good news is that you aow hava a fully
hunting for some **WAY#s for your #*TS20682% to functional port which can be used for any jab
SPEAK to a ##NEIGHBOR##?. which does not require more than five signal pins.
Is that what's *BUGGING* you Bunky? This tucludes driving the COMMODORE daisy
chained sariail synchronous interface, for cne.
Well, ##FRISHD##, a !!NARVELOUS CURE!! for The TS20€8 SOUND instruction can be used ta
your ##DISSATISFACTION#2 is SSFORTHCOXINGSS. Tune drive this interface, or machine code routines can
in your xxAUDITORY SEESOR DEVICES** @ !!LISTEH!! be used. The variety of applications possible is
so great that [ will leave it up to you eager
GET THAT IDIOT OUT OF HERE!! programmers tc have a go at it. One that comes
immediately to mind is nibble transfer from one
That's better. Sigh..... TS2068 to another with handshaking.
So -- what IS this all about? Dr. Strangequars
When TIMEX released the TS2068, they did a
logical thing -- for them, but aot for us. .
In order to prevent using the jaystick port Summary: A Generic Computer has not
(IQA) for OUTPUT to devices that TINEX dida’t make yet been offered to the public and may not
and athers DID, they left off the GND connection. ever be. A generic computer would provide
This barrier is easily bypassed, but first the standardization needed for direct hook
you need to know it was put there on purpose. If up between computers of the same type or
jou don’t, it is just another example cf something between different kinds to provide
that doesn't work. You've been faked cut. additive capability. Two or more computers
can be operated as an integrated system by
hea used for joysticks, the port is in the proper interfacing.
INPUT mode. Signals are pulled down to near GED The concept runs counter to the special
level by a transistor through pin 6 left, or 6 interests of each manufacturer of carputers
rigat. ‘There is no need for a GAD pin, which was who would like for their product to be
supposed to be pin 9 both right and left. Diades exclusive. Because of non-standard buss
prevent one joystick from interfering with the construction Interfaces mst be specially
other: designed.
ANY device which can pull signal lines iow The big money is in selling whole
can be used for [HPUT. It need not be a joystick. computers and their needed periphreals.
Software Sales for specific types of
When it comes to OUTPUT, the situation is a computers cames next in market potential.
bit different. Joystick pins can be driven high, Manufacturers are not even slightly
but because of the diodes, cannot be driven low. interested in developing their products to
Low I0A'port stgnals cannot get through. be capable of co-processing with another
Unless the joystick pins are pulled low by brand of computer. The market potential
resistors to GHD, they cannot be used for OUTPUT. for devices and software to support "two
Now where is that GND pin? It figures..... brands of computers". working in an
integrated environment is not strong. Thus
Can it really be that simple? there are few who will spend the time to
Yas. It CAH be and IS. work toward interfacing computers.
Many Sinclair users have two or more
First, cut a joystick extension cord tn halz. computers, same as many asa half dozen.
If you like to be neat, uses a small hunk of pert We Sinclair users have mich to gain by
voard to tie down the cut ends and make room for interfacing to gain _co-processing
five 15k 1/4¥ resistors. Jumper all the wires as capability. Doing that with the QL is the
if they had not been cut. Then wire one end of casiest. Interfacing between two different
each rasistor to wires from pins 1, 2, 3, 4, & 6. Senputers is more difficult, but is
Vire all the other ends to the wire from pin 9 and i . :
another 18" long wire for picking up GHD from any eae bp pnagaaieonai ee “é
other convenient location. Wrap this mss ia Ladies: Ck sthe einslaie: Gbex Gedig. wis are
iagulating tape and you aearly have it. active. in interfacing projects: Larry
Kenny (Larken Zlectroncis), Bill Pederson
Tl p t ot th
The cable Sad 18 tee en ee eee (WIDSUP), John McMichael, John Oliger,
Joystick part of another TS2068. Tou caa either He Rae cerca mera aE
use a sex change adapter, or mke your cabie from ed Man thes i Se ik
two extension cords. The latter is probable the suspect 4 se entreprenes s
cheaper and better approach. deveicp a super capable generic commuter
if we could lock them up together in a
Ny preference for pickiag up the GHD is tc garage shop. _3J-
24
1/9 BASE
Address.
3BC (356)
378 (388)
278 (632)
Slot Device
Display/Parallel
Parallel
Modified Parallel
POST i
SYNCHRONOUS
INPUT
CENTRONICS
PRINTER
OUTPUT
DB25S DBZSP
mg
|
|
|
SRL
]
|
|
|
i
L
|
\
i
j
|
i
{
|
a
ra
5/ Le]!
{ALT CLR?
(Nibble
Wode)
|
DATA ~
é
=
S
aad eal
aie
ae
* 4.7K Pullup
(Extends standard
Operation
aitialize BASE
xxxO1108 for Printer Gutput (default?
xxx08108 for Synchronous Input
L=IN (BASE+2) : Shift right to test
STROBE and allign bits 8 - 2
L=L AND BOQOBL11 XOR O2080181
HEIN (BASE+L)
H=H AND 11111888 XOR 18888800
DATA=H OR L
25
TS2068 BACK-FLANE EXPANSION SYSTEM STANDARD
IOC TAKE-OFF
GNO
TS2068 BUS TO EVEREX E¥-1085
’ 2068
PRIMARY ADAPTER
1$2868 REAR CONNECTOR
| EAR
| EXTENDER
CABLE ASSEMBLY
theararacararara
| EXPANSION SLOTS
|
|
PC/XT fein
POWER Wie urge diated
SUPPLY ban LSE IL IOI
fl
UE
U5]
IDES@ or 1D550
>
—
E
>
a
Ss
= Saal i ee
ail
{NC}
feniD)
al asc
{
= EVEREX WIRED CONNECTION.
26
BUS DRIVER CARD
Cartridge
NOTES:
i, Card has same general
layout for all applications.
2, Table shows connections
used when IBM compatibility
is not implemented.
a. New Cartridge slot must
be used if bank switching is
implenented, (BE conflict)
4, DAISY is for advanced
WIDJUP autocenfiguring use.
5, User cards can have two
edges, one for each systen.
soc DR, STRANGEQUARR’$
SUPER-DUPER JOY GENERATOR # #
Joustick Extension Cord
| ee
Add DBSF to DBOF
Sex Change Adapter
if required for
your applicatian.
CHD
MOTE: 05 is available at the
T$2868 rear connector, and on
the WIDJUP standard adaptor.
If this signal is brought in
and connected to Pia 5, there
are enough signal lines for
full bidirectional handshake
when transferring nibbles.
CENTRONICS fo IBN PC /XT_ ADAPTOR
CENTRONICS CABLE END
DDK36S
lI
(TYPICAL) aa
i
Se
Fisceesresdy
[orrreresune
reeresaeete
risceesnels
seresnnerds
'
'
‘
1
teysnnrae
pesvarcie
frrestesee
seartnisa
perenne
biredips dot
esceeteirert
. reteesiststis
Trim after Prenat eeeenge
= torneo
Assembly. regrergeenere
coronene
FILLER se insists
PIECE Teeeetatanige
IBA PC/XT EXD
Carefully prepare 36 conductor ribbon
cable as shown above. The MESH includes
allowance for strain relief. the FILLER
PIECE is needed to assure proper spacing.
When assembling, make sure to correctly
natch up Pin 1, fA small vise can be used
to make assembly easier.
27,
JERE-488" COMMODORE Sunchronous Serial Interface (GPIB)
The serial bus is a daisy-chain arrangenent designed to let the conputer Communicate vith sunchronous
ser ai deviees Tike disk drives, ‘printers at? rapeeers deste S deviees gan be epenegee at? the bus.
ee of operation: CONfRGL, TALK an, . computer is CONTROLIer. 14 ¢:
also TiLd” ind Lisa *4 iPREER POTS data ont the bas. “Only ane device Ser Tabane COMROLIer. chaos
Pesu. AY number can i.
all devices on the bus receive all signals. To select which device is to respond to the data, a “primary
address" is put on the bus, This can be from 4 te 31 for COMMOI i
The computer can COMMAND any addressed device to TALE, LISTEN or both. fi "second address" allows
se setion of Features within Tae sdaresses denon ye font srlection i, raphe nodes de). Thi
ef WL assign ‘1 Tr 2} stream and set uy OWER BO: aS
Fits nothing on the bus. but Sets up a device control block belonging to strean fi,
HUMBER DEVICE
4ors UIC-1525 GRAPHIC PRINTER
6 UIC-1528 PRINTER PLOTIER
to tt Vie-1541 DIsE DRIVES
SERIAL BUS PINOUTS (5K PULL-UP Open Collector)
ive
in Description het:
1 SbBlaL So In Device needs service,
3] T) /' LG COMMAND identifi
SERIAL ATN IN/OUT fos raat wee
AL INA Lo Balh strote Handshake
SERIAL DATA rye ny Data bits, 138 first
an
;
i—Bytes sent under AIN to devices ‘e
atn | {Primary and optional secondary addr.) [ ’
aw TALKER READY-T0-SEND
| pTHISTEMER READ?-FOR-DATA 11 formal p—HSTENER READY-FOR-DaTaA
i
i # Ist ststenee pata ACCEPTED) bytes |_Bl ister para ACCEPTED —
a ro9qnAAnAN | 7 q 1 ]
er Tl UU ULLAL bp
for | [xe | i DATA VALID lr | NE I) fom YaLID | F | [nfo
¥ it r * i
so GREER an TEE a
LSB ASB = ISB NSB :
END-OR-IDENTIFY (POLL for IDENTIFY) | NOTES:
<< i."Device not present*if > max,
ATH {CTALKER READY-T0-SED 2. EOI response required if ) max.
tioee | | fi fn 3. Frame error if ) max,
ozbeR |] f | UL! ULL UL 4, ¥ and PR 60 uSEC nin for TALKER.
Hl | i 3. Timing of TK, BC and Dd depends on how long
it takes for the XLISTENER to recognize the
= “wrono" polarity of DATA, the KTALKER to
iB oer recognize the “wrong" Polarity of CLOCK, and
BI t “LISTENER READY-FOR DATA rc adjust states accordingly,
EQI-TIMEOUT HANDSHARE
‘— LISTENER READY-FOR-DATA
SYSTEM LINE RELEASE —!
SERIAL BUS TIMING (uSEC)
Description
Symbol
Make DEVICE a TALKER and LISTEN
aN | ACK 1S NOW TALKER
SS TALKER READY-10-SEND
ma IL UU
Se S RS B cues
talpltt/ Diyit ;
irala| 2 int il
— eighties os
wm ei LI eh ER ESTE. | pi fctorttise
Becomes ListeMeR- —t_enpy pop pata Choe hese TALE
PLOTTING EauarTrlons
with RADICALS
i
b
wi
t
E
A
b
€
ore
DF
us
the are only
us to remember,
square root oF
ber ig imaginars.
the computer,
THO...) ALL
two salutians,
Mins One, it
if ma feat coat
raat of -4, but
GF +4 can be eith
Another thing ta remember is
that powers, Like the square or
cube Cf a number on the TS206e8,
as on many ather computers,
are evaluated bu the use af an
algari emp louing Logarithms.
As the are no t
negati HuUMbErS , we e
Sort to an alternate method of
expression. For example, the
computer wi ll ith
f-21t3
oF -e f
accept ¥{
the same thing.
G@ when we haw
containing a radi
to plot, we must
consider the comp
coming If we
Plagued bu “inval
error reports, #
Program.
on
o22henww
In each of the following pra-
grams line 1ld@ is devised ta
Look at the cadicand to see if
its value ig pofitive or nega-
tive. If it has @ value less
than @, it must be megative and
its root is imagin Thu a
Line such as 158 5s it.
If the radi < and
acceptable, sheh as tea
and 17@ initialize the value of
the equation for each + ofr -.
Walue oF its radical.
We are mot yet “out of the
woods". AS in the previous tu-
tarial on the graphing of poly-
nomials, we must test the magni-
tude af yl, ye, st at each
Point along the X-axis, before
attemptina to Plot a pixel. IF
the absolute value of the ordin-
ate if toa great, the computer
will try to plot beyond the con-
fines oF the ¢creen. So these
values must be Skipped to avoid
getting an "out of range” error
report, and another hung up pro}
Qfam. Lines such as 18@ and
#200 do this for us.
29
Arter €ach equation or
+e- Counterpart if so tes
and fourrd to be acceptab)
li
els are plotted by nes
&s 198, 208. etc. Notice
there ifs oniu one FouR -
(oop. ALL computed value:
slotted in & fingle pase
this loop. We ve
éd the equation -
4s repeating th but
gle loop if a tad quicker,
The
.
Ade
ome
of
pein
aha om
Rw ROT aATo ow
a
Baia
arerm4am
eee ae
to ge im
eit
on
Iamanmin
HU mp.
mm TD wy
inc em
Progcam G-13 plots
tions simultaneously... .,
2+du¢nt2-4%-5620
(2-yixta-16
These two were rewritten to
expreés Yas a Function of x,
resulting in.....
“Roe -(-xt2+ax+6a)t.
@-lesxta
Students of math among us may
€cognize these equations right
FF af a circle and huperbola.
isc, they may rightfully can-
€nd that both curves can easi-
ty be roughed in ini
the center ard radius of the
readily suet ase i
easily as the two in these
examples,
Program G-14 considers the
equations of a parabola and an
other huperbola. They are.s....
yte=ad (8-x)
(y-l)t2tx-4)s1
When we rewrite these ta ex
Press yoin terms af x, we get
Note that ta plot a complete
Curve where y if expressed in
terms of x and @ radical, there
Will be upper (+) and lower {-)
Parts of the curve. These sep=
arate parts are identified by
Yd. ya. y3. and ya.
255.0
DRAW @, 99: RAL
9: PLOT 138,@: 02
40 FOR n=6_TO 166 PLO
T 229.n: PLOT asin:
5a FOR n=2e8 TO PL
oT n,87: PLOT 7.65:
6a PRINT AT 1,15;
be =
138 REM #2 FIRST CURVE
AOMMEREEr adicat #2 +60
IF agi cat Oo TO 220
‘s1l=-2+ 5
adicalt.5
i)
fges-e-5
IF ABS yisU;86 THEN GO TO
@ PLOT x4H4130,91e+86
@ IF ABS y2sU;86 THEN Go TO
Q
n
M$H4100, Yee td5
ECOND CURVE
167 (x#x)
y32U;86 THEN GO TO @
PLOT
=
250 PLOT x#H+4i20,ys4V+66
260 NEXT x
30@ PRINT AT 2,4; “yls-e+t-xte+d
xX+6097,.5"
318 pRINT AT 4,1; “yes-e-i-xtet+d
X+5O)
32a PRINT AT 42,1: "y3s2-16-xt2"
There are simplier ways of
Plotting these curves, but the
method used here allows us to
suggest a means of solving
These Equations simultaneously,
using the computer to da the
heavy, tiring computations. It
involves computing the common x
and y values at_their points af
intersection, This wil! be the
Subject OF Some future tutorial
Hang in ther@ecsee
Warren Fricke
S REM #4 “G-id", 7-22-89 :
1@ REM #2 PLOTTING EouaTr
with THO RAGIC
20 PLOT 8.26 = DRAW @.-86:
255.0: DRAW @, DRAW ~255,
CRAY O99: DRAW. "255.0: DRAW O.-2
PLOT 132, 2@: DRAW O.175
40 FOR n=6 TO 166 STEP 2a: PLO
T 229,n: PLOT i34.n: HEXT no
S@ FOR n=3@ TO 230 STEP 2a: PL
OT m.87: PLOT 9.85: NEXT Th
vee PRINT AT 1,15; "¥";AT 18.38;
aT 2ea.t
‘¢1a"5
: o
fs -2 To +10 STEP
i 3 FIRST CURVE
SOMMER a dics t=3-x
iS@ IF radicais@ THEN GO TO 228
185
13a IF nas 3720388 THEN Go Ta 2
3O ,WLeV+36
6 THEN GO TO 2
yee+e6
CURVE
240 1F Cadical<@ THEN GO TO 295
250) Ue ea Ce trae
260 rfadicalt-.
ete IF ABS y32V736 THEN S50 TO Re
230 PLOT x#H4130,yS2V+86
285 IF ABS y42U286 THEN GO TO 2
298 PLOT i aeat 420486
308 PRINT AT 2,1; “yisee(8-xIt.S
31@ PRINT AT
320 PRINT AT 13,1; “ySsl+ix-19t-
398 PRINT AT 15,1; "y4si-(x-4)t-
5,1; "y2=-2(8-xI 1.5
+10
ystO(8-xit. Sy
N
y2=-2 (8-4) t.e~
\ Po
3.0
UPDATE MACAZINE
Flashback
David Youngquist
Before I begin talking about Flashback I
need to say a little bit about Archive. After
all, why buy another database program when
you get one free with your computer?
I've always liked databases, and I like
Archive, but.,.. Bill Cable’s colums have
shown me that I certainly haven't leamed
everything about Archive. I've never even had
adata file lock me out fran forgetting to
close it. Though I have fallen asleep waiting
for a search thru a 150K data file on disk.
That perhaps is Archive’s biggest weakness;
it keeps the bulk of its data on your
microdrive cartridge or disk. Searches are
terribly slow while it looks at each bit of
data on the drive to see if it is the one
needed. The nice thing about this is it
allows standard 128K machines to keep data
files much larger than they could handle in
RAM. When one expands their QL with extra
RAM this plus turns into a liability. [
Editor's note : if you have enough free RAM,
once an ARCHIVE database or any file has been
totally read once the QL keeps a copy in RAM
and eliminates unnecessary device accesses.
With archive a simple way to get a database
into RAM is to Search for samething that
won't be found. If you are altering or
inserting there will be lots of device
accesses in any case. Also if you order your
ARCHIVE database and use the Locate command
you can have near instantaneous searches no
matter how big the database is. ]
Flashback keeps its data file in RAM. In
fact it will multi-task, by itself, with
another program without needing Taskmaster or
QRAM. I have a setup with just Quill and
Flashback that I find very useful. From
another program pressing the ‘ALT’ and '\'
together (or another defined pair) will bring
up Flashback. It also works fine with
Taskraster.
Flashback has records and fields in the
records like Archive. However a record or a
field can be one character long or 10s of
thousands of characters long. A record can
have only one field or up to 60 fields. The
number of fields or the field length can be
different for each record. A field marker can
be deleted joining two fields or sub-field
markers added. A single record can also be
split into two records at any point.
January 1990
Flashback has the standard database
commands (NEXT, BACK, FIRST, LAST, etc.) and
some interesting new ones. Using the MERGE
command picks up ASCII text from most any
source. Capturing a Quill file or SuperBASIC
listing is easy. There is a utility to
convert Archive files to Flashback. One can
pop out of Flashback with a record and place
it into Quill, SuperBASIC or whatever. Use
Flashback to capture a series of standard
SuperBASIC procedures and file them. When you
are writing a program in SuperBASIC call up
Flashback and do a search to find the one
wanted and bring it back to SuperBASIC.
Searches are advertised to be 100 times
faster than Archive. My experience is that
they have been as near to instant as I can
tell. If anything is done to change the file
then it needs to be SAVEd. This is much more
safe than having the file OPEN during the
changes.
The worst thing about databases is having
to type in all that data! Here is a way to
have your QL make a very useful database for
you. Take a look at the SuperBASIC listing I
call ‘Directory’. This sends the information
from Toolkit II's WSTAT (like DIR but more
data) of a number of disks or microdrive
cartridges to a RAM disk file. I then capture
it with Flashback's MERGE conmand and have a
smart library guide to all my software
medium.
Those without Toolkit II will need to
delete line 100 and change the WSTAT in lines
160 and 230 to DIR. Those without RAM disks
can change their reference in lines 160, 220
and 240 to a device they are not using. This
means if you are using microdrive 1 to scan
directories then keep your catalog of
directory information on microdrive 2.
Run Flashback with an empty database and
Directory in SuperBASIC. The program asks how
may files, and this means how many cartridges
or disks you wish to scan. When all the disks
or microdrive cartridges are scanned for
their directories then go into Flashback and
CREATE a new record. Then use the MERCE
command to 'MERGE_ram3_filef#l' and the
directory inforation is now in your record.
You may add field markers at your leisure.
The file name “filefl" is also arbitrary and
easily changed. Next CREATE a new record
again and MERGE. Use the cursor control to go
to the end of the prampt and change it to
'MERGE_ram3_file#2'. And so on until all the
directories are now records.
31)
UPDATE MAGAZINE
I. purchased Flashback fran Sharps for $40
and feel it is a good value.
Directory ; a sursreasic program to use
with Flashback
10 REMark Directory Record Maker for
Flashback
20 By- David Youngquist
30 REMark unwitting help by Mike Lloyd in
5/89 QL Worid
100 TK2_EXT
10 CLS: CLS#2:CLS#0
120 INPUT’Don't forget the '_'!"\\"Device?
"as
130 INPUT\'How many files? ';n
140 FOR z=l TOn
145 = n$='file#'sz
147 AT#O,0,48:PRINT#O\' Insert
disk/cartrige':wait
150 scan
160 CLS#0:CLS#2:PRINT#2, ‘Directory list in
175 AT#O,1,48:PRINT#O,"All done”
180 :
190 DEFine PROCedure scan
210 «CLS
220 OPEN_NEN#3, 'ram3_'&n$
230 WSTAT#3, dS: CLOSE#3
240 OPEN_IN#3, 'ram3_'&nS
250 INPUT#3, line$:PRINT "CATALOG: "\;line$
260 REPeat loop
270 FOR x = 1 10 18
280 INPUT#3, Line: PRINT line$
290 IF EOF(#3): EXIT loop
30 IF KEYROW(1) = 8: EXIT loop
310 «END FOR k
320 «PRINT "More >":PAUSE
330 AT 2,0:CLS 3:CLS 2
340 END REPeat loop
350 CLOSE#3
360 90 wait
370 END DEFine scan
380
390 DEFine PROCedure wait
400 AT#HO,2,48:PRINT#O," Touch any key
": PAUSE: CLS#0
410 END DEFine wait
420:
32
vi zy 1990
Qh SOPIMARE offered by:
Wood and Wind Camputing
RR-2 Box 92
Cornish, NH 03745
Call if you want more information: 603 675 2218
GOS BUSTERS =. just released fram Wood and
Wind Computing.
I£ you have ever wasted time trying to find
a file in your pile of disks and
microdrives you need the help of CHAOS
BUSTERS . Consisting of :
DIRLUX - Displays and prints your media
directory in colum formt, natural or
alphabetic order, screen paging for long
directories, It has a search function for
locating and displaying file names
containing a specified string. Saves your
eyes in spotting a file. You can search
across many disks making only 2 key presses
for each disk you insert.
FILEX - This program will make an export
file of your directory and WSTAT
information for import to ARCHIVE. This
gives you an instant file/media database.
File extension is made a field (doc,aba).
If available file creation date and size
are inthe database. Dates are yy/nm/dd
format for sensible selecting and ordering.
You can build your database at a rate of
over 1000 files an hour (faster than a
747). ‘he next program makes any knowledge
of ARCHIVE umnecessay in using your
database.
DBEASY - nis is a database manager that
works as a front end or shell for ARCHIVE.
It rus within ARCHIVE but you work from
menus and need know nothing about ARCHIVE
commands. Most of ARCHIVE’s awesome power
is at your finger tips. DBEasy creates and
manages databases for many different
applications. It keeps a log file of all
your databases and allows you to swtich
between them. Your FILEX file database can
be just one of many databases you might
want. Databases for addresses, expenses,
income, tapes,stamps,books,or whatever can
easily be created and managed. You can
insert, alter, delete, select, order, find,
search, locate, display single or multiple
records, print records, partial records,
mailing labels to a file or printer, do
simple suns, export to ABACUS for more
serious calculations. As a stand alone
program DBEasy sells for $21.95.
This tric is ready to bust your chaos for
$29.95 cn § 1/4 or 3 1/2 DSDD or $33.95 cn 2
microdrives (speci if your Ql is
expanded). Order fram:
Wood and Wind Canputing : Bill Cable : RR 3
Box 92 : Cornish, NH 03745
UPDATE MAGAZINE
RELEASING PRINTER
POWER FROM A QL
Peter Hale, P.O. Box 8763, Boston, MA 02114
Many with a QL do not know how to get the most
out of their printers. This is particularly true
of those using QUILL who would like fancier doc-
uments, but feel they are limited to the enhance-
ments (highlights) provided in QUILL (High & Low
Scipt, Bold and Underlined).
This article describes (in possibly excessive
detail) how to get the most out of a printer from
within a QUILL document, The road to delight may
seem a little untidy, but the printer power re-
leased from within your QL will be more than you
could get from all but the most powerful and
complicated word processors on other computers.
As illustration we will refer to the QL printer,
partly because so many people have this printer,
but also because it uses Epson printer codes and
therefore has direct application to any Epson
compatible printer.
If you understand QUILL documents, printer codes
and the use of install_bas, go immediately to
TABLE I and the section USING PRINTER CODES.
THE QUILL DOCUMENT
As viewed on the monitor screen the QUILL file
shows the effect of embedded (invisible) codes in
representing text. For example, pressing F4 then
B changes subsequent text to a different color
that represents a bold face to the text to be
printed. Pressing P4 then 8 again releases the
color and returns it to the original. But no one
sees any specific character on the screen.
The code for bold is QUILL-specific. It is not
visible on-screen but is in the doc, Actually
there are two different codes: one to turn on the
bold highlight, the other to turn it off.
When printing a QUILL doc, you have noticed that
drive 1 on your setup will whirr. This is QUILL
searching for a file called printer_dat which has
data to change (translate) QUILL's own codes into
codes that can be understood by the printer.
Thus, printing a document from within QUILL is a
three-part exercise (as it is with any other,
lesser wordprocessing program):
1) The typist prepares the QUILL _doc by
invisibly embedding codes in the document through
judicious use of the P4 key and its parameters.
2) The printer_dat file (otherwise called the
printer driver) translates embedded codes into
ones understood by the printer. The values in a
given printer_dat file filter the QUILL _doc file
on its way to the serial port, changing QUILL
codes to printer codes,
3) When the printer receives codes in a “lan-
guage” it understands, it changes the printer
font or enhancement that will apply to printing
subsequent text.
OK. Gat that? If not, try re-reading it because
it is important to understanding what follows.
PRINTER CODES
We will use the QL printer manual for specific
references. Some will cite it as one of the more
obfuscating documents in computerdom. Those who
accept this canard have lived a sheltered life,
unexposed to other printer manuals, all of which
were written by summa cum laude graduates
of the IBM school of technical writing.
As imperfect as the QL printer manual is, it is
really very good. Like other manuals it lists the
different codes (often called commands in other
manuals) and what each does, In the QL printer
manual there is a table on pages 67 and 68.
All codes are expressed in one of three ways:
Symbolic (character representation in a format
left over from teletype days), Hex or Decimal.
The three are interchangeable. {Some printers,
such as the older Mannesman-Tallys, have unique
codes, but we are talking here about Epson
compatible printers.]
The codes themselves are generally non-printing
characters or start with a non-printing charac-
ter, They can be represented symbolically or by
decimal or hex digits through install_bas. Por
examples see pages 4 and 6 of the Information
section of the QL manual itself.
The table in the printer's manual lists commands,
33
January 1990
briefly describes each command's function, and
refers to the page in the manual where you may or
may not learn more about its use.
Most printer codes are preceeded by ESC (in dec-
imal: 27, in hex: 1B). Some, such as condensed,
double-wide and form feed have single codes.
Printer command codes with ESC are followed by a
letter or other non-numeric character, and
possibly a third and fourth numeric character.
When a string of characters arrives at the
printer and one of the codes is present, the
printer reads the codes. If the code is ESC, it
knows to pay attention to the characters that
follow until they no longer make sense as printer
commands. Then the printer treats subsequent code
as characters to be printed in the commanded way
until another command arrives telling it to do
something else.
If we could place other codes within a QUILL
document, we could release the power of the
printer, so pay attention to what follows.
USING INSTALL_BAS
The SuperBASIC program install_bas that came with
QUILL enables us to insert codes in a QUILL doc-
ument to access features built into the printer.
The codes will be visible on the QUILL screen as
characters from the QL character set, but will
not be sent to the printer head. Before arriving
at the printer, through the magic of translation,
the character will be translated into printer
commands (control codes).
Thus we will choose characters that are not norm-
ally part of English text. These are characters
accessed by holding the CTRL and SHIFT keys
simultaneously and pressing one of the alphabetic
characters. ‘The characters resulting tend to be
Greek or Scandanavian ones rarely needed.
The reason for install_bas is to modify the file
install_dat (a collection of data about codes for
a number of printers) and to create printer_dat,
the working data file for your specific printer.
Load and run install_bas in the usual way. It
must be on drive 1 on a medium with install_dat,
printer_dat and a working copy of QUILL.
It takes time to load, then you must specify the
drive on which installation and driver data are
kept. This is usually drive 1 since QUILL
defaults to drive 1 for printer_dat.
Next, the prompt asks if you are using a standard
serial port (serl or ser?) to the printer. This
is the choice even if you have a parallel printer
but are using a parallel interface cable. The
option for a non-standard serial port or a
parallel port only applies if there is a special
port for PAR such as is found on a Super QBOARD
disc controller.
It takes a few minutes for the QL to organize
data from the install_dat and printer_dat files,
then the screen presents a list of printers and
notes the most recently installed driver.
We won't repeat instructions for installing
printer drivers that are so ablely presented on
pages 3 to 7 in that section of the QU manual
called Information - there isn't space here.
Instead, we will briefly step through the process
of modifying an EPSON FX-80 driver. On page 6 of
the Information section the right-hand column of
the table is a close approximation of the FX-80
driver, except that the port is serl and the
preamble code should spell ESC in upper case
characters if it is to work.
Move the cursor over EPSON FX-80 with the down
cursor key and press Fl to copy it. Then move the
cursor to the copy and press F2 to edit it.
The cursor will be over the driver name. Press a
right or left cursor key to change it, then type
a printer name (up to 14 characters) and press
ENTER.
The other lines are translates even if they don't
admit it. The ones from PORT to SUPERSCRIPT OFF
are dedicated and handled differently from those
specifically called TRANSLATE.
The PREAMBLE CODE shown is ESC,@,ESC,R,NUL, On
an PX-80 printer this resets the printer to a
default state and selects the USA character set.
ESC,@ is the common reset code for almost all
printers, but the QU printer has no optional
34
USING PRINTER CODES in QUILL
Using the power is simple. Whenever you wish to
use an enhancement not found within QUILL, use
one of the Translate codes we have devised by
inserting it as a text character when a change in
printer function is desired.
Functions can be concatenated (chained) to
achieve a desired effect. Thus double-wide, con-
densed, elite is theoretically possible simply by
preceeding the tert that you desire in that
format with 6£0. When you wish to terminate that
effect, simply type @ (Control-Shift N) te return
to normal (pica, 10 pitch) width.
Some functions are not explicitly provided in the
TRANSLATE codes developed here, You can construct
your own with the « (Control-Shift X) command, A
very useful one is «xl, which turns on the NLQ or
LQ mode of any Epson compatible printer. Use «x0
to return to draft mode.
If you prefer Double-strike to NLQ, try «G («H
turns it off). For real quality, albeit at a slow
pace, combine NLQ and Double-strike.
You are on your own from here as to what features
you want to explore, but there are some WARNINGS!
First, when inserting these new control codes
within QUILL text, QUILL thinks they are print-
able characters, Thus if the code is the first
character in a paragraph, QUILL performs word
wrap and justification as if the code were
printable. It's not, so the output on that line
shifts one or more characters to the left, giving
a ragged right edge to the paragraph.
The common solution is to insert the codes in
what is otherwise a blank line between paragraphs
or only at the end of a paragraph in the blank
spaces remaining. Termination codes are less
often a problem since they generally come at the
end of a paragraph where there are no more
characters to print.
Second, inserting codes within a line so that one
or more words are in a contrasting highlight, as
is done when using italics to indicate a foreign
word is tricky. Changing pitch within a line or
anywhere is even trickier, n‘est-ce pas? fin'est-
ce pas?§
QUILL does not know that pitch has changed when
it formats text. For that you would need text#?,
The solution to that is to treat lines that have
custom enhancements as separate paragraphs with
wider right margins. When changing pitch within
a line or a document, some trial and error with
sample print outs may be necessary.
Third, proportional spacing is a simple way to
increase the text on a given page by about 10
percent. Characters such as i and 1 take less
linear space than morn. It is not recommended
with right justification since there will be a
ragged right edge. To take advantage of the extra
word count extend the right margin 10 percent.
Finally, none of these tricks will work unless a
copy of the printer_dat file is in drive 1 when
QUILL begins to print. You learn the meaning of
frustration if, after all this work, the document
ends up with a batch of garbage instead of the
expected enhancements.
REKKKE KK RR EKER
Those. who find that using install_bas is harder
than they like can get custom copies made for
their printer from EMSoft. The charge is $5.00.
With the five dollars send a disk or micro-
cartridge with a working copy of QUILL (or QLHP),
install_bas, install_dat and printer_dat. Include
a photocopy of the pages in your printer's manual
with the printer codes in summary form.
On the returned disk, you will receive a _doc
file demonstrating the printer's power.
As another service to disk drive users, EMSoft
will convert your PSION suite to default to flp_
rather than to mdv_. Send a disk with a direct
copy of each of your four PSION programs and
install_bas and $5.00. A special datesetting
boot with the ability to select any of the
PSION suite will be added.
Get both services tagether for just $8.00.
Send to:
EMSoft, P.O. Box 8763, Boston, MA 02114
35
character sets. On a QL printer, change the
PREAMBLE CODE to ESC,@ so that it resets whenever
a new document is printed. Type ESC,"@ then
ENTER. It should look like ESC,@ with no".
Why the " before the @? Symbolic codes may be
entered directly in CAPITAL letters, The next
part of the command is separated by a comma, The
@ is preceeded by " since it is not symbolic code
but is needed as part of the command,
You could enter @ in decimal cade (64) or even do
both parts in decimal by typing 27,64, When you
press ENTER, it looks like ESC,@.
Also change the POSTAMBLE CODE to be FF, if your
printer does not automatically Form Feed after
printing. (For fun, put in FF,BEL so the printer
signals when finished printing.)
Now move the cursor to the Translate lines, If
you have a QL printer, use the right cursor key
to remove the TRANSLATE] and press ENTER. All
other Epson compatible printers require this line
so that the £ sign prints correctly.
In the next 8 TRANSLATE lines insert codes that
will permit access to virtually all the printer's
power. First add the capacity to send the ESCape
code to the printer. With it we can manufacture |
most other control codes, ‘Then add single keys
that will allow use of condensed, double-wide,
elite, italic and proportional printing.
[Note that older EPSON compatible printers may
not be able to do proportional or italic printing
- check your manual.)
In TRANSLATE2 press the right arrow then type
“ESC. (the character « is found with Control-
Shift X, a mnemonic for "Xscape"]. Press ENTER.
The value for TRANSLATE2 should be «,ESC. .
Henceforth, whenever you insert « in a Quill
document, it will be translated on its way to the
printer as the ESCape code (decimal 27), and the
character immediately following it will be per-
ceived as an instruction to the printer. More on
this below in USING PRINTER CODES in QUILL.
See TABLE I for what to put in each of the other
7 TRANSLATES. We have left TRANSLATELO free for
you to design your own specific code.
TABLE 1
Translate What you type Control Function
Code Shift Key
2 "ESC x=« Send ESCape to printer
3 "8,SO D=5 Start double-wide pitch (5/in)
4 "E,SI C=é Start condensed pitch (1T/in)
5 "O,ESC,"M E=0 * Start elite pitch (12 char/in)
6 “"R,ESC,"4 1=f8 Turn on italic feature
7 "u,ESC,"p,SOH P=y Start proportional pitch (11/1n)
8 "@,0C4,ESC,"'W,"0,0C2,ESC,"P N=6 return to Normal pitch (10/in)
3 "">,ESC,"p,"0,ESC,"5 R=> Release italic and proportional
Note that the choice of Control-Shift key
starts proportional pitch and Control-Shift R releases it.
has mnemonic value - i.e. Control-shift P
Having just one "Release"
key would be nice, but install_bas only allows 10 codes per translate.
Further,
which pitches were set. Thus if a section
Control-Shift N returns the printer to Normal
pitch indiscriminately of
of the document were set for double-wide,
condensed and you wished to change to condensed, it would be necessary to release
both then reinstate the condensed.
Piggy~-backing the release codes is a function of
the limit of 10 translates in the standard install_bas.
See the text on Using Printer Codes in QUILL_docs,
36
UPDATE MAGAZINE
on | ets
FOR THE SINCLAIR Ql
TERMS - TERMS! Let us see if we can better
understand the ambiguities so that we can use our
systems to better advantage.
os", in computer talk, means ‘Operating
System’, Preceed “OS" with "D", and “DOS" means
"Disk Operating System". "MS-DOS" means Microsoft
Disk Operating System.
The DOS consists of a group of programming
utilities (or tools) used to interact between the
Operator, The Computer, and a MASS STORAGE DEVICE-
a disk drive. "MS-DOS" was created by The MICRO
SOFT Corporation for IBM Computers. "QD0S" is the
system used for the Sinclair Computer, and LkDOS is
the Disk Operating system created by Larken
Electronics for the TS-2068. Easentia£ey, all of
the 00S perform the same functions, though some
perform more elegantly.
The original MS-DOS, created by Microsoft for
the early IBM computers, was programed for a
computer that had a maximum of 128K of internal
memory, and some of that was reserved for internal
computer "OS" (operating system). Through the
years computers were desiged to address (use) more
memory, and other versions of MS-DOS were released
that would take advantage of more memory capacity.
The first MS-DOS was quite limited, because each of
the programming utilities took up memory space when
the utilitys were loaded into the computer's own
memory.
The Sinclair QL engineers reserved a portion of
the QL's internal memory to store the DOS
utilities. Then Cottage industry developed Disk
Drive interfaces and stored the Floppy utilities in
ROM additions. In some respects Sinclair
computers’ DOS are more efficient than 4S-D0S
because their 00S utility programming is stored "IN
PERMANENT MEMORY", and thus is faster in operation
than MS-DOS which requires the 208 utility to be
“fetched from disk to Computer Memory".
But there are disadvantages of “fixed Operating
Systems", One major disadvantage is that each
subsequent "version" of the DOS requires hardware
change- anew EPROM to be installed. And, a fized
January 1990
memory chip poses problems to the independant
programmers who would like to offer improvements to
the DOS. But to make such improvements would
require the programming of EPROMS to install in the
DOS hardware circuit boards.
USER LEARNING
Fach 00S is designed for User Interface between
the person, the computer, and the disk drive, Most
of the disk operating systems are actually simple
to use, if one will study the available manuals.
The first step is to try to understand the
objectives of the DOS programmers, principle of
which is to transfer information between the
computer and a mass storage device, the disk drive.
The user is furnished with a repertoire of BASIC
commands to cause planned actions to take place.
When one learns these simple Basic commands, the
“Yuman Interface" becomes efficient. Infrequent
use of the DOS makes the operation seem to he
complex because each simple task requires the
operator to refer to a manual before entering the
basic command. Imagine how difficult it would be
to drive an automobile if one had to study the
manual: in order to find where the brake pedal is
located! When one drives behind a “Driver's Ed”
vechicle, the need for operator PRACTICE is
avident. Practice promotes efficiency.
Some of us become accustomed to one DOS and are
reluctant to change to another because of the
seeming complexity of a strange new set of Basic
commands. Actually our old and familiar group of
DOS commands may be more complex than the new DOS
that is being avoided. An example of this is my
own reluctance to tackle MS-DOS, which I later
found to be less complez than my favorite TS-2068
LKDOS. The adage, "Old dogs wont learn new tricks"
applies. Actually this ald dog is learning new
tricks and finding the process to be enjoyable.
But the process requires a reference book, some
study, and most important, PRACTICE and ERROR
CORRECTION. | Practice is needed for the 00S
commands to be remembered for proficiency of
operation, Progressing from Micro Drive commands
to DOS (or MS-DOS) commands is a small step for QL
users.
WS-008, and tae SLHCLAIR QL
I find QDOS, augumented with the Trump Card
37
UPDATE MAGAZINE
Tools (TK2_ENT), to be more efficient than MS-DOS.
But there are many advantages to be gained by
learning and using 4S-D0S. Generally, programming
support for the QL is declining in England. The
picture in the USA and Canada is improving with
such new programming as is being done by =MSOFT,
Wood and Wind Computing, and a few others. But the
market potential for QL and TS-2068 software is on
the decline.
The largest library of computer software is the
MS-DOS market, where new titles are constantly
appearing and there is a huge hoard of useful
public domain libraries. Also, programming for
MS-DOS seems to be where the most opportunity
exists for qualified programmers. Software suppor:
for the QL and S-2068 is definitely on the
decline.
Even so, my large inventory of TS-2068 and QL
software is so valuable and productive that it
would be foolish of me to discard either of these
fine computer systems. Eventually though, one can
reach a saturation point with computers and the
space sharing with other members of a family.
The answer may be in acquiring a portable MS-DOS
computer to use in conjunction with my Sinclairs.
Then programs and data files can be shared with the
QL, and Data Files shared with the TS-2068 and 288.
two 15-005 Enulator Softwares
Last issue Update presented a nice review of
"THE SOLUTIONS", by Dick Wagner. This first
“Imulator" software for the QL marked the
beginning of the QL's use of software that is
designed for ¥S-DOS operation, I recently acquired
anew QL software called "PC CONQUEROR". Both
Solutions and PC Conqueror are MS-DOS emulator
softwares produced by Digital Precisions itd., of
England. PC Conqueror is their latest release. 1
have both titles and am greatly impressed with PC
Conqueror. It comes with a disk having MS-DOS
version 4.1 which has some modifications designed
especially for operation with the QL. 0th the
disks having the PC Conqueror software and the one
having MS-DOS 4.1 are in 90 track 720K format,
which relieves one problem with the earlier
Solutions software which was in 40 track 360K
format.
T have used PC Conqueror and find it to be
fairly easy to operate. Once PC Conqueror (or The
Solutions} Software does the initial job of
January 1990
reconfiguring the QL to operate as a MS-DOS system,
the task is turned over to the operator who must
use MS-DOS Basic Commands to load and operate
MS-DOS software. While the use of MS-DOS "Operator
Basic Commands” is required, they are no more
difficult to master than are the DOS commands for
the QL or the TS-2068. One just needs to leara the
MS-DOS commands and paactice to gain familiarity.
aS DOS CONCEPTS:
consists of a group of program utilities
that are stored in disk. When one needs to perform
disk functions, such as FORMAT a Disk, or Copy
Files, or LOAD a Data file. etc., an MS-DOS Basic
command is used. The operator's use of the DOS
Commands results in the appropriate MS-DOS utility
program loading to the Computer's memory and the
function being performed.
MS-DOS
Compatability of Software
One needs ta understand that 2£¢ [8M Compatables
are not completety compactadle with each other.
Compatability depends upon several factors and are
mostly involved with the programming of a software
for the various IBM systems. There are several
Monitor Systems for IBM systems (Monochrome, EGA,
CGA, etc.). Generally, software that is designed
for high resolution screen dumps to paper will
cause incompatability problems éetween [AM systems
as well as with the Sinclair QL. So, a QL user
cannot expect that all MS-DOS softwares will
operate with either of the two Emulators, But many
MS-DOS softwares are programmed to operate with
"the lowest configuration system” and should work
with the Emulated QL.
QL DISK DRIVE CONFIGURATION FOR HS-D0S
MS-DOS is capable of operating in IBM systems
having single disk drive, two disk drives, or fron
1-4 disk drives and a Hard Drive. The
configuration of the disk drives and their format
depend upon the IBM Disk Controller card in use.
There at least seven disk configurations used with
T3M and IBM compatable systems. Ondy two af these
configurations will work with Sinclair computers.
Sc, it is important for QL users to select the type
of disk drives that will work with the QL.
The two Digital Precisions softwares mentioned
38
UPDATE MAGAZINE
AN INTRODUCTION 10 PC-CONQUEROR
By: Bob Hartung, 2416 N. Co. Line Road.,
Huntertoun, IN
This MS-DOS Emifatonr program is by Digital
Precision LID and is my first hands on
experience in the MS-DOS environment. So,
this cannot be an in-depth review of MS-DOS.
The sheer mass of books written about MS-DOS
and its application softwares show the
emmensity of the subject. However, my
impressions as a rank beginner may give sane
indicators, if not benchmarks, to those who
may be considering buying PC CONQUEROR or to
those who are trying to learn PC-C and MS-DOS.
I'm sure that those who acquire PC-C just
for the learning experience in another
conputer environment will find it as
fascinating as 1 have in the short time that
I've been exploring it. Those who use the IBM
system in their work place should be able to
create files with their QL that will run
happily on an IBM or compatable. PC-C also
includes a program called “XOVER" which can
transfer files fram MS-DOS disks to QDOS disks
or to RAM DISK and vice versa-- without
loading the PC Conqueror program. Also XOVER
will rename and delete files and do text
conversion between MS DOS and QDOS disks.
Speaking of books, David Lien'’s MS-DOS
ADVANCED APPLICATIONS is available at Radio
Shack, and is a good source of info about
MS-DOS. Lien's book is written for the 3.20
version of MS-DOS. Another source is
Microsoft Press "Quick Reference Guide To
MS-DOS Commands", which include those new
commands found in version 4.0. (PC Conqueror
is designed around version 4.0 and includes a
MS-DOS version (4,1) modified for the
Sinclair QL. Another good reference is "GH
BASIC FOR BEGINNERS" by Abacus publishers.
The PC Conqueror disk contains an 80K version
of GH BASIC which is initialized by entering
the command <GWBASIC>. You break out of GH
Basic by CTRL ESC. Return to MS-DOS is via
entering the command <SYSTEM>. These commands
are not covered in the manual, but are covered
in the GW BASIC reference mentioned.
‘The PC Conqueror Manual is 85 pages. It
begins with a discussion of what the emulator
is and does and then states that even with the
hefty cost of the camplete PCC package, the
cost is but a fraction of buying a PC Clone.
And, those who already have a PC or Clone, or
one available at work, can use their MS-DOS
system disk, thus saving the extra cost of the
4.1 version that is supplied with the PCC
package.
What PC-C does is to mimic as nearly as
possible in a QL the responses and
capabilities of a PC or other computer running
in the MS-DOS environment. The concept of
MS-DOS itself is is an approach toward having
one system of communications, file handling,
January 1990
and device control, that is compatable with
all other carputers that are designed to work
under this same environment. There are
hardware differences and subtle changes in the
ROMs of CLONE systems made to avoid patent and
copyright infringement. Thus sone software
written for a "compatable-clone” may not work
in an IBM PC, XT, AT, and vice versa. The QL
with PC Conqueror is no exception.
SPEED: Considerable loss of speed of
software operation is inevitable when an
emulator or intermediate intrepeter is needed
to translate the native language of one
computer system to that of another. The
Manual recommends that LIGHTNING SPECIAL
EDITION. be installed with PC Conqueror. This
will speed up screen file handling and number
crunching operations. Such increased speed
may not be apparant for operations not
involving those two functions. In particular,
I found no noticable increase in speed in the
display of listing entries in the GH-BASIC
mode, which is VERY SLOW. This is likely
because the keyboard scan must first be
intrepeted for G¥ Basic, then MS-DOS must
intrepet GH-Basic, then finally, PC Conqueror
must intrepet and translate MS-DOS to QL Dos
equilivant instructions. The MS-DOS Graphics
functions, which are similiar to LOGO or
Turtle Graphics, also responds quite slowly,
although the screen resolution is excellent.
The PC-C Manual strongly recarmends that
the MS DOS Shell and ANSI not be used because
they slow down the processing even more. Most
interactive game programs run far too slow to
be much of a challenge except for those of us
having geriatic reflexes. Also, thee MS-DOS
system disk must be accessed for many comands
to load in the appropriate routine which
further adds to the lag time.
Overall however, since a keyboard buffer
is provided, the operational speed of MS-DOS
programs should be fairly acceptable with
applications such as spreadsheets that require
mostly KBD input, and even with word
processors and data base programs- if you can
remember that you may be typing well ahead of
what is currently on screen.
It is simple to follow the easy
instructions for back up and work copies of PC
Conqueror and MS-DOS Systems disks, Then if
you have an 80 track 720K DSDD system the
manual says “It is simple as 1-2-3 to get PC-C
and an application MS-DOS program running.
With my dual 80 track drives I did not need to
make any changes to load PC-C and the MS DOS
systems disk supplied. (Alternate 360K disks
may be supplied for both if you have 360K
drives.) Customized work copies of PC-C and
MS-Des disks may be made by using the
“configure program in the PC-C disk. Such
custanized copies would be for non-standard
configurations or changes in the drive
defaults, KBD scanning, printer allocation,
39
UPDATE MAGAZINE
will work with the QL System that has either one or
two disk drives, and format capability ither 40
track 360K or 80 track 720K capacity. The disk
drive can be either § 1/4 inch or 31/2 inca, The
key is the FORMAT capability. All Sinclair
Computers are designed to use "SHUGHERT” type disk
drives that conforn to a standard format called
"Shughert”, IBM controller cards use this
standard for their 360K and 720K drives, but
different format standards for their 1.2 mgbt and
1.44 mgbt format.
There may be a capability of using Hard Disk
with the QL, but I am u-aware of such detail at
this time.
WARNING: If you need to buy a disk drive for
your QL, consult with your Sinclair Support Dealer.
Our Sinclair dealers know the type drives that are
compatable with our computers. Also, the cable
fittings for IBM and QL computers are different and
the correct fittings are known by our QL suppliers.
It is most likely that your existing disk drives
will be satisfactory for operating MS-DOS software
with the two Emulator softwares mentioned.
Solutions sets up the QL to read, Format, and
operate in the 360K format with the QL 50 drack
drives, on with the QL and 40 track drives (either
5 1/4" 02 3 1/2"), Conqueror sets up the QL to use
the Ql's 6&0 track 720K formt in the MS-DOS
envinonment.
Single side drives: There are some disk drives
in use that read and write to only one side of the
diskette at the time. While the two Emulator
softwares can be. copied to these singie side
diskettes; the operation of MS-D0S softwares
usually requires more “continuous” read and write
capability than the 180K capability of these single
side drives. Single side drives should most likely
be replaced with 80 track DS-DD 720K drives for the
best results.
QUESTIONS To Be ANSWERED:
1, Will the speed of operation of most MS-DOS
software with the QL be satisfactory?
2. Will the success of Imulation of
software be widespread and include most
MS-DOS software titles?
MS-DOS
of the
Magazine's next issue will bring a
detailed review of this new software, PC Conqueror.
It will be interesting to learn if C Conqueror
bridges the gap between NS-DOS and the Sinclair QL
Update
sufficiently that it will mot be necessary to
actually own another computer that is designed for
MS-DOS operation. My impression is that it will
serve that purpose. But, I will postpone ny
decision about buying an MS-DOS portable until the
results are in about the effectiveness of the PC
Conqueror Imulator Software.
For myself there will be a certain amount of
“pride in doing it" if the $140 software will give
me about 70% or more MS-DOS compatability without
having ta buy a MS-DOS portable.
The decision whether to depend upon QL Emulator
software ar ta buy an MS-DOS portable involves two
important results: The effect on one's budget, and
the amount sf SPACE required for dual computer
systems. PC Conqueror costs about $140.00 while a
new MS-DOS portable runs between $650.00 and
$7000.00.
If one adds another computer,
the Computer desk will need
accommodate another computer system. (My seven
foot desk may need to be nine feet). Then there
are the raft of new Computer manuals to add to the
library to study.
So, the results of a comprehensive review of PC
Conqueror can be quite valuable and have quite an
impact upon one's future computing plans if one is
determined to start operating in the ¥S-DOS
environment, Watch with me for the coming review
in Update.
QL, 188, AND 15-2068 DATA TRANSFER
It is not possible to operate MS-DOS software
with the TS-2068 or 288 computers, but there is
capability to interchange data files between these
computers. Both the TS-2068, the QL, and the 288
can be used in coordination with each other and
with MS-DOS computers to share date products.
A comprehensive article in the next Update issue
will detail the transfer of data files between
computers of all kinds.
Most TS-2068 Basic programs can easily be edited
and run in the QL by converting the program lines
ta ASCII, transfering the file to the QL to be run
with the <HRUN> command.
It really is quite simple ta transfer data files
between computers that are in close vicinity, as
“on the same desk or in the same house”. A simple
two wire hook up with Short IN-OUT basic
programming does it. ‘The next issue of Update will
have a detailed article about Cross Using data
files between computers of all kinds. “Al,
even a portable,
‘stretching’ to
40
UPDATE MAGAZINE January 1990
by
Tim Stoddard
INTRODUCTION
I have been using three TRUMP cards now for about a year
and a half now, and I have noticed that there is no real
USER GUIDE’ available. The very small manual that comes with
the TRUMP card outlines the syntax ( sometimes incorrectly )
but gives very few examples. These series of articles will
bring to light some of the very powerful features of the
TRUMP CARD and TOOLKIT II via real usable examples. The
articles may be assembled into a user guide at some future
time, if enough interest is shown.
I welcome all critiques and suggestions. I want this
user guide as accurate as possible. Feel free to write via
UPDATE MAGAZINE or my home. If ‘you wish an answer please
include S.A.S.E. envelope.
Tim Stoddard
86-48 86th Road
Rego Park, NY 11374-5212
You can also reach me via CompuServe ( 73127,2664 ) or Genie
( xtx53868 ).
NETWORKING
Perhaps one of the most useful and powerful feature of
the QL is the built-in networking facility. The QL’s ROM
however contains many bugs that .make using the network
difficult, at best. Qjump’s TOOLKIT II ( refered to as TK2
hence ) corrects the bugs and makes the QL’s network very
useful.
First I should describe my set-up, which is in use
daily. A total of three QLs are networked over about 75 feet
of bell wire.
QL station #1, where I do most of my work, consists of a
768K TRUMP, 2400 baud modem, dual TEAC FD235 3 1/2” drives,
Tandy CGP-220 color ink jet printer, and a QL Vision monitor.
QL station #2, located in my shop is used to isolate
printer noise ( my wife hates the noise of those dot matrix
printers ), consists of a 768K Trump, TEAC FD135 3 1/2" &
TEAC FD-55F 5 1/4" drives, EPSON LQ500 on ser!, EPSON FX286e
with a scanner attachment on ser2, Magnavox 80 monitor.
QL station #3, also located in my shop, is an
’open-frame’ QL where I do hardware experiments and new
product evaluations, consists of just a 128K QL, TOOLKIT IT
ROM, and a QL Vision monitor.
SHARING RESOURCES
After a reset the QL will be set to a default station
assignment of 1. This is fine for my work station but the two
shop stations must be set to different station numbers to
avoid conflicts. This is done with the command:
net (station number)
Once the station number has been assigned you can allow
access to your station's resources ( serial ports, drives, 4 1
even RAM ) by other stations wits: the command:
January 1990
UPDATE MAGAZINE
fserve
For instance my shop QL ( station #2 ) is set-up in the
boot file with the following commands:
TK2_ext ( enables TOOLKIT II )
net 2 ( sets it as station #2 )
faerve ( allows resource access by stations
1 and 3.)
PRINTERS
In order to use these remote resources, just proceed the
desired device with the station number it is attached to. For
instance, on my system, to use the LQ500 from the main QL I
would send the output to n2_seri. Page 2 of the TRUMP user
manual touches on this incorrectly! It states that instead of
using the ‘default’ printer option within QUILL you should
key in ’ni_seri’ or, in my case, to print to the LQ600 I
should key in ‘n2_seri’. If you try this ( go ahead and try
it now) you will end up with the file 'n2_ser1’ on the
default data drive! So what do we key in? The Psion programs
look for the underscore character fir: and
then assumes a device name follows. So the proper device name
that the Psion programs look for is:
—n2_seri
a% MANUAL CHANGE #2
PAGE 2, 4th paragraph, second to last sentence change
N1_SER1 to _N1_SER1.
"Sx NOTE «2%
It appears that only the PSION programs look for this
begining underscore. All other programe accept the N1_8ER1
format.
The entire sequence for printing to the LQ600 from Quill
would be:
<F3> command mode
<p> print
<ENTER> default current
<ENTER> whole document
_h2_seri overide the driver default and send
output. to station #2 ser! device.
If you wish to always use that destination (as I do),
you can change the driver with the install program. After you
start the program it will ask you if the device is a serial
device ( Press <ENTER>) or the device is a parallel or
non-standard serial port ( Press <SPACE>). PRESS the <SPACE>
bar. Select your printer driver with the arrow keys and press
the <F2> key to edit. Use the down arrow to select the port
option and press the right arrow key to change. Now key in
the station number with the device name in the same format as
we did previously. Don’t forget this is a PSION printer
driver so use that leading underscore! Key in:
—n2_ser1 for my set-up.
DYNAMIC PRINTER BUFFER
This facility works very nice but does have some
limitations not described in the manual.
PRT_LUSE like the other ‘USE’ commands in TK2 will match
a ‘device string’ to a ‘usage string’ for any device calle.
The syntax of this command is PRT_USE (usage],{device]. The
42
January 1990
UPDATE MAGAZINE
default at TK2 initialization is PRT_USE PRT,SER. TK2 will
substitute any device names containing 'PRT' with ‘SER’
before giving the device name to QDO0S. So if you were in
QUILL and wanted to send output to your printer on SER1
buffered, you would key in the sequence:
<F3>
<p>
<ENTER>
<ENTER>
—PRT1
TK2 would see the 'PRT’ and substitute it with 'SER’ and open
the SER1 port to take output from the print buffer where it
has stored the document. The end result the user sees is that
the cursor has returned much sooner and you are able to
continue work while the printer is printing away.
TK2 uses a text 'trap’ facility in it’s USE commands (
PRT_USE, PROG_USE, ETC ). ANY device name used in the TK2
environment will be checked against all of the ‘USE’
variables. Note that this is strictly a text match and does
not have to be a real device! This is why sending output from
QUILL to 'PRT1’ works. You could use almost any name. For
instance:
PRT_USE buffered,ser
will allow you to be descriptive from QUILL:
<F3>
<p>
<ENTER>
<ENTER>
buffered! ( or _buffered2 )
will send output VIA the printer buffer to SER1 ( or SER2 ).
These names will, of course, also work in the printer driver
itself since TK2 will trap ALL device names before they go to
QdOS. Try it now! Re-install your QUILL printer and use
buffered! as the ’port’ name in the driver.
xx THE LIMITATION #82
. PRT_USE will not accept network names!! For instance:
PRT_USE PRT,N2_SER WILL NOT WORK
It’s too bad too! It would be a nice command. There is a way
around this. On my set-up I use the following command in the
boot file for station #2:
PRT_USE SER,SER
Thia will buffer any device calls for SER1 or -SER2
transparently since it substitutes ‘SER’. - for SER’ .* This
includes device calle VIA the network! Since my device driver
on station #1 is set-up to send output to _n2_eeri1 and
station #2 buffers any device calls to SER1, all output from
QUILL on station #1 is sent through the network to station #2
where it is buffered and then sent to SER1! All invisible to
the user. I get my cursor back at station #1 fairly quickly
while station #2 prints out my document in another room where
printer noise is not a problem.
Can you send. graphics through the network and then
through the printer buffer? YE8. I send output from several
graphic programs including: EYE_Q, THE PAINTER, PROFESSIONAL
PUBLISHER, PAGE DESIGNER 2, and TK2’s built-in screen dump
facility SDUMP. Transfer through the network is about the
same speed as saving the file to microdrive which is 4 3
considerably faster than waiting for your cursor while
printing a screen dump or Desk Top page locally!
January 1990
UPDATE MAGAZINE
Finally, the command PRT_ABT works as the manual states:
jt cancels the currently printing file. The command does
force a form-feed thus allowing any subsequently queued files
to start on a new page.
ELLES SYSTEM
File system handling via the network is quite straight
forward, however, the example given in the User Manual is
misleading.
Access to any other QL’s ( running FSERVE ) directory
devices is quite easy. You simply preceed the path name with
the station number. For example to get a directory of station
#2's disk: 5
dir n2_fipi_
Simple! To copy a file from station #3 to station #1:
copy n3_f1pi_filename, f1p2_filename
for a lot of files:
woopy n3_fipi_ to fip2_
There is a command available in TK2 to simplify nameing
conventions, especially for end-users in a_ large network
having no knowledge of QDOS or TK2: NFS_USE. It is similar to
the other 'USE’ commands in that it substitues~ physical
device names for a logical name. It is different in that it
allows a list of up to’8 “physical device names ‘to’: be
suber tuted for the logical name and‘‘a trailing number of 1
o 8. Mars 9
The example from the manual was:
NFS_USE mdv,n2_f1pi_,nZ_flp2_
TK2 will now ‘trap’ all device calls containing ’mdv’ and
substitue the logical name. For instance:
dir mdvi_ (after executing the above NFS_USE)
will give you the directory of n2_flpi_.
dir mdv2_
will give you the directory of n2_fip2_!
Nice, but you’11 now notice that you no longer have access to
your microdrives! Substituting ’flp’ for 'mdv’ hae the same
affect.....you have lost access to your station’s disk
drives. There is a use for this, of course! For stations that
have no drives or a number of stations that you want to limit
access to only one set of drives, this ie ideal.
The manual implies that ‘USE’ name must be a physical
device .....- not so! The boot file for station #1 in my
set-up contains:
NFS_USE LAN, n2_flpt_,n2_f1p2_,n2_mdv1_,n2_ramt_,
n3_f1p1_,n3_f1p2_,n3_mdv1_,n3_mdv2_
44
To access flp2 on station #3:
dir LANG_
UPDATE MAGAZINE
TK2 traps ‘LAN’ and substitutes the physical device from the
list matching the number following ‘LAN’ giving use a
directory from the physical device n3_flp2_
weopy LAN8_ to LAN4_
is the same as:
weopy n3_mdv2_ to n2_rami_
but easier to understand and faster to type in from a user’s
point of view.
Although the manual states that only directory devices
Should be used, other devices wil] work. For instance:
NFS_USE LAN,n2_flpi_,n2_eert
does work and printing from QUILL substituting the taet
option ‘printer’ with ’_LAN2_’ results in sending the output
to n2_seri_!
Editor's note: I am sure that the readers appreciate this first part of
Tin’s Tuump Manudk and we Look foward ta the next episode. My impression of
the Taump wser manual supplied by Miracte Systems is that it is "good for as
far as it goes”. After “blowing up” the pages exactly four times their
original size the pages are § 1/2 XK Ti", readable and carries a weakth of
pages. Then it and Tim's “Advanced Taump Geide” witl become a complete
negenrence.
Update wilt continue Tim's articles untie he is finished with the
expanded manual. The pages will be arranged 40 that there are no
continuations or other artickes mixed in. This way you can tahe the pages to
@ copy shop and build your manual as it is presented. Last pages such as
this one can be misred off and the bkank space used for notes. This series
promises to be one of the most vatuahke references for Sinckair QL Users.
BI-
EMSoft
Software for the QX. that really works
1 world software that does real work on a QL computer, much of
business, financial and technical
of the PSION program
Use any of these programs even if Lyeil: d to death of ARCHIVES or
ABACUS® Instructions teach wi y ne J but otherwise they sre
transparent, All are fully editable for special requirem
Prices are from $9.95 for QLUTter, a resident boot utility, to $2850.00 for
a site license for CAM MASTER, a friendly CAO program for circular cams
that generates the CNC code to a vertical mill controller. (Get the demo
first; it's only $9.95 and really shows the power of the QL.
id
Expanded and improved versions of TRUST_FUND 1.3, MAILBAG 2.9
QLAND_LORD 1.3 are available for $4.95 with the original medium. Ther
OsTutor, a flash-card program, and OBProgs with 5 useful Archive utiliti
We have The_Transfer_V3, for HP compatible laser printing of OTP files and
a range of other useful, hard-working software for the QL .
Order TAX-1-QL/89 by November 22 to get a $19.95 early-bird discount.
PSION’ s PC-FOUR for MS-DOS computers fs only $99.95.
(Ever see Easel output to an HP Plotter?)
We create much of our’ own software but we market software by other
programmers. Please call/write for details about our arrangements.
Send for our catalogue which explains things in detail.
EMSoft, P.0, Box 8763, Boston MA 02114 (617) 839-0830
January 1990
45
UPDATE MAGAZINE January 1990
EVERY MONTH DOMINO CUBES WILL GIVE UPDATE READERS
HINTS AND TIPS ABOUT THE REMARKABLE Z—&& COMPUTER.
THE BEGINNER’S MANUAL BY MIKE FINK WHICH IS SUPPLIED FREE TO
HIS 7-88 CUSTOMERS, WOULD BE OF LITTLE VALUE REPRINTED HERE
IF YOU DO NOT YET OWN A Z-88. IF YOU ALREADY OWN THE 7-88,
THE ADVANCED MANUAL OFFERS USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS AND EXCERPTS
FROM THAT MANUAL WILL BE PRINTED HERE BEGINNING THIS MONTH.
I WILL BEGIN BY TELLING YOU SOME OF THE THINGS THE Z-88 CAN
DO THAT ARE NOT WERED IN THE CAMBRIDGE MANUAL...
1. YOU CAN PRINT DOUBLE WIDTH, ELITE, DOUBLE STRIKE,
PROPORTIONAL, OR ANY COMBINATION OF THESE ALONG WITH THE ONES
THEY DO MENTION.
2. THE PIPEDREAM SCREEN SHOWS 6, 12 CHARACTER COLUMNS A-F.
YOU CAN ADD COLUMS, DELETE COLUMNS, CHOOSE THE WIDTH OF ANY
OR ALL OF THE COLUMNS. YOU CAN ADD UP TO 676 COLUMNS! !!!!!!1!
3. YOU CAN INSTANTLY MAKE NEWSPAPER TYPE COLUMNS BY TABS.
4. YOU CAN DO MATHEMATICS INSTANTLY ON THE PIPEDREAM
SCREEN WITHOUT MAKING A SPREADSHEET, OR GOING TO BASIC. THE
NO. 676 IS THE RESULT OF 26x26. I DiD NOT KNOW THE ANSWER BUT
AS I WAS TYPING THIS, I NEEDED THAT ANSWER, SO I INSTANTLY
FOUND A BLANK SLOT OR LINE, AND PRESSED @X, WHICH HI-LIT THE
SLOT MY CURSOR WAS IN. I THEN PRESSED 26, WHICH MADE
ITSELF VISIBLE ABOVE COLUMN C. THIS WORKING AREA ALLOWS ME TG
WRITE THE INFINITE NO. OF MATHEMATICAL PATHS I DESIRE BEFORE
1 PRESS ENTER. AFTER ENTER, THE MATH CALCULATIONS OCCUR AND
THE RESULT IS SHOWN IN THE SLOT YOU HAD THE CURSOR. I CHOSE
TO WRITE 26x26 AS 2672. 26x26 MUST BE 26% 26 TO WORK.
26°2 MEANS 26 RAISED TO THE SECOND POWER, OR 26 SQUARED, OR
26 ‘TIMES ITSELF$ IN ANY CASE IT GAVE ME THE ANSWER I NEEDED
IN LESS THAN 7 SECONDS, WITHOUT MY LEAVING THE SCREEN OR THE
DOCUMENT I WAS WORKING ON.
5. I CHOSE TO CHANGE THE 72 CHARACTER WIDE SCREEN, TO A 61
CHARACTER SCREEN. I PRESSED @ AND. THE LEFT ARROW UNTIL THE
VERTICAL ARROW IN THE COLUMNS CAME TO REST AT 61, GNE PAST E.
IT COULD HAVE CHANGED COLUMN A TO WIDTH 61 ALSO, BUT THE WORDS
WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY WRAP AROUND UNLESS THERE WAS A
PRINTED SCREEN CHARACTER IN THE NEXT SLOT, OR THE ARROW WAS
MOVED TO THE RIGHT SPOT. SEE INSERT ON HRAP-OPTIONS PAGE
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MONTHLY COLUMN IS TO HELP THOSE WHO OWN
THE Z-88 AND TO ENTICE THOSE THAT DON’T, INTO BUYING IT. OF
COURSE I HOPE YOU CHOOSE DOMINO CUBES WHEN YOU DECIDE
TO BUY THIS WONDERFUL MACHINE.
DOMINO CUBES
pita 355 West 39th st.
FORMATTING NY, NY 10018-1401
FORMATTING Tel: 212 971 5638
FORMATTING President. .Mike Fink
FORMATTING
FORMATTING
JUSTIFY SHOULD ONLY BE USED WHEN TYPING FONT CODES THAT 00 NOT CHANGE THE
WIDTH OF THE WORD! JUSTIFY WORKS ONLY ON THE TEXT TYPED AF TER YOU SELECT
IT FROM THE OPTIONS PAGE....@@). IT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE DIFFERENT
SPACING OF THE WORDS THAT HAVE CODES THAT CHANGE THE SPACE THEY USE. THE ONLY
CODES THAT ARE USABLE BY JUSTIFY, ARE THOSE WHOSE SPACE REQUIREMENTS DO NOT
CHANGE WHEN THE CODE IS APPLIED; TE; BOLD, ITALICS, SUPER AND SUBSCRIPTS.
ALL OTHER CODES, INCLUDING PROPORTIONAL, REQUIRE MANUAL ADJUSTMENT. I HAVE
FOUND, THAT FOR ME, IT IS EASIER TO NOT USE THE JUSTIFY, IF 1 AM USING
CODES THAT CHAANGE THE WORD WIDTH. PROPORTIONAL KILLS JUSTIFY.
THE MAXIMUM NO. OF CHARACTER WIDTHS FOR ONE PRINTER EDITOR IS 7. THEY ARE
SHOWN AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PAGE. TO DO THIS, USE THE ELITE.PE, WHICH IS
DESCRIBED IN MY ADVANCED MANUAL, MANUAL EX. ALL OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
he
SPECIFICALLY TO MY SQUARE-DOT, C-130, 88 COLUMN PRINTERS ALTHOUGH “THEY
PROBABLY APPLY TO MOST ALL OF THE OTHER DOT-MATRIX PRINTERS AS WELL!!
THE FIRST STEP IS TO CHOOSE WHICH CHARACTER WIDTH YOU WISH TO USE FOR MOST OF
YOUR DOCUMENT. THEN CHOOSE A TOTAL COLUMN WIDTH EQUAL TO THE TOTAL NO. OF
CHARACTERS THAT WIDTH CAN PRINT GN AN 88 COLUMN PAGE, LESS 2 MARGINS. THE LEFT
MARGIN YOU CHOOSE FROM @#C), AND THE RIGHT MARGIN BY MOVING THE VERTICAL
ARROW, (TO THE LEFT OF COLUMN FF ), TO THE NEEDED POSITION, WITH @&->, OR
«--. THE SCREEN STARTS YOU OFF WITH SIX 12 CHARACTER COLUMNS, ASSUMING YOU
WISH A 4 CHARACTER MARGIN LEFT AND RIGHT, WHICH WOULD ADD UP TO 86 IF YOU USE
NORMAL PICA WIDTH CHARACTERS. IF YOU USE NARROWER CHARACTERS, YOU CAN FIT
MORE OF THEM IN THE SAME SPACE, BUT THE PRINTER WILL ONLY PRINT THE 72 SHOWN
ON YOUR SCREEN! IF YOU WISH TO PRINT ON PAPER THE EXTRA CHARACTERS, YOU MUST
INCREASE 72 TO WHAT YOU NEED. YOU CAN EITHER, INCREASE THE WIDTH OF ONE OR
MORE COLUMNS, OR ADD MORE COLUMNS. IN BOTH CASES THE PAGE MAP WILL NOT LET YOU
SEE THESE ADDITIONS, UNLESS YOU NARROW THE PAGE MAP. YOU CAN TO mS AND
CHANGE MAP°SIZE ACCORDINGLY.
IF YOU WISH TO SEE 7 LINES OF TYPING ON THE SCREEN, INSTEAD OF 6, YOU CAN
CHANGE BORDERS ON THE GPTIONS PAGE FROM Y TO N. .
YOU CAN USE ITALICS AND BOLD AT THE SAME TIME ON A WORD AND STILL USE
JUSTIFY. BOLD DOES NOT WORK GN ELITE NOR CONDENSED.
MORE NEXT MONTH!
280 REM m
220 PRINT"SET SCREEN WIDTH TO-98 WHILE TYPING PROGRAM! !”
249 REM
268 PRINT"THE LEFT AND RIGHT APOSTROPHES ARE NOT SYMMETRICAL ON THE
45@5 YOU SHOULD USE THE BINGLE APOSTROPE FOR BOTH. ON THE C-130, THE
LEFT APOSTROPHE IS REACHED BY DIAMOND THEN APOBTROPHE. *
288 PRINT"THIS PROGRAM WILL PRINT THE 2-88 CHARACTER SET IF YOU UBE
THE CLI-PE."
38 PRINT
326 PRINT"IF S@BS@UNDERLINE! 6$=BOLD! GGREXT.GEG.! 738ITALICE! 76=-8U
BSCRIPT! B2=8UPERSCRIPT! 6S=CONDENSED! AND 69=DOUBLE WIDTH"
348 PRINT
36@ PRINT*TURN DFF BQUARE + P, TYPE GOTO (NEXT LINE NO), CHOOBE 8, T
BQUARE + P*
INPUT 6 = "5 8
PmOPENOUT™1PRT.@"
PRINT@P, CHR (5) +CHRS (71)
PRINT@P, CHRS (5)+CHRS (8) © Jew VOX Mike Fine
wiDTH«7e?
FORK=S2T0326 ‘
PRINTXS" = “SCHREX;
NEXT
FORY=168 TO 163 STEPS
PRINTYS" = “SCHRSYS
PRINTA#P, CHRS (5)+CHRE (5)
PRINTAP, CHRS (5) +CHRS (93?
INPUTS = 78 8
- sss Meee 3.8
=% wosk we? aos
=8 a3e+ “ae, 45=-
7 4ae68 ayet se=2
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=9 saet 5 =<
Ltd os" 7 4-8 os a
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su 73et wed 75=ak L
an 78=N 7720 os =P a
=R es=8 eae eeu ee=V
aw a8 = x a7=y a2 mae
=\ 932] wet = Yea'
a yaad ec ' 18680 wise
f 1399 184 eh 105 24 196 = 3
17 =k ieee ween gen sibso
M2Z=p M3=q i4er 1528 Mest
aiysu 16" Vv my sw 125 = igieay
122 52 123 = ¢ 1242 125 => 126=*
169 = wes—£
—_———_—_—_——
$.M.U.G. Presents
the 1990 SINCLAIR COMPUTER Exposition
MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN
June 2 & 3 /Banquet Friday Night June 1
SEMINARS, DOOR PRIZES, SWAP SHOP,
SOFTWARE, PERIPHERALS, HARDWARE,
AND LOTS OF OTHER STUFF
Location
WAUKESHA HOLIDAY INN (414) 786-0460
Hwy 18 & 194 Waukesha, WI 53186
There will be a SNUG meeting Saturday Night June 2, 1990
Ticket Information:
advance at the door
One day $ 4.00 $5.00
Bothdays : $7.00 $9.00
Banquet : $16.00 $16.00 Limited seating
Table : $25.00 (incid. 2 day badge) $25.00 Limited table space
Tables are 6 feet by 30 inches
For MORE INFORMATION contact
Bill Heberlein
5052 N. 91st Street
Milwaukee, WI 53225
Multiply by three the enjoyaent
S.NLULG. Video Digitizer & TS2060
T
Vv 1 Capture a video
Oo 3- Creates a 3-0
id title for an
‘ent I-axis "der
foverted 3-D.
effect.) Four
This software is priced at $9.95 p
camera, etc., & view it in thirteen greyscale levels!
‘video ieage captured by VIDEOTEL in either noraal 3-0 or
(Ser
Neal Schultz
call 7 - 10pm
(414) 353-4522
or
for RESERVATIONS mail to:
Expo Reservations
P.O, Box 101
Butler, WI 53007
t can come froe your
with this new softwarat
ron a VCR, video
representation of &
exanple of the J-D
pths® aay be selected.
ach, and cones
WANTED Timex 2068 PORTUGUESE COMPUTER.
WAFERS A&J-20 OR COMPATIBLE. ZX COMPUTING
MAGAZINE BACK issues: 1984 AND BEFORE.
Sincuair UsR : (Fesruary. Marcu. May.
Juty 86). (MARCH 87). YouR SINCLAIR AND
CRASH MAGAZINES ANY IssUES. SPECTRUM 48
Harpware. British & AMERICAN UTILITIES.
SEND YOUR LIST TO: FRANCIS P. BARRETT
735 _S. Cune Avenue. #11; Newron, NC
28658 or cait: (704) 465-4971.
Some MATCA
4
FOR GALES 18-2088, ARI Nicrodeive, GRMI-EMU Board, 2X-81, 2X
Printer, Sun keyboard, MENOPAK 44K, 0€ Cassette w/Aecher
Anplitior, Many programs for 2068 and 2X-81 including
Pixel-priat Pro (includes 82k newory Qosrd! and Hot 2 assembler
{alto uses (he PP PRO Newory board), Hany Books on 13-2068,
TE-B1 (TS-1000 and 2-00 alcroprocessor. Naa} w
Many copies fyntan, CTH, SYNC, TS-Herisons, and Tiee Pests
Best affer over 0200, Send SASE for complete list, Howard Gadsey
14446 Frontion Trail, Cherry Valley Ch 92223. Ph (754) 045-2900
with complete user notes & video digitizing suggestions.
Send LSASE for additional information and lia tig
JOHN NCMICHAEL, 1710 PALNER DR.y LARAMIE,
P.O. Box H2166,
Inglewood,
ed Grey entkecenrises
CA 9390305
Info >> 213-759-7406 << Order
oe _
Afier
Holiday Speciais
Seitkosha SP-1000AS
SERIAL Printers
$119.95 + $10 SSH
Epson/IBH compatible, 100 cps (draft),
20 cps (NLQ), 9 pin DH, friction, tractor,
and cut sheet feeder. 2 yr. warranty,
FS-252 (DB-25) I/F, for the QL & 268.
Graphics capable and Front Panel Controls.
Printer CABLES (QL, 288, DB-25): 12.50
Additional RIBBONS, 45.00 each with order.
Printer Accessories; stand-10, cover-$5
LARKEN Disk I/F
With LKBQ@S (v.3)
$125 + $5 S&H
OR a tested, ready to run, Larken
with your choice of 5.26" (400K, D5,
3.5" (800K, DS, DD) 1/2-height floppy drive
{includes case, PS, cable).$275 + $10 S&H
Second 5.25" or 3.5" CASED drive: $105.00
Disk Drive Power Supply: $12.50 + $3 S8H
Dual Floppy Drive Cable: #1250 + $3 S8H
LKDOS (v.39) cart, for JLO; bbb + $5 38H
<Kininue order $20, niniava SSH 43 (double S&H in Cand COD (USA only) add $37o>
Send $1.00 and SASE (with 45 cents postage) for a catalog.
Call The Grey Matter BBS & RCP/H (213-971-6260)
i,
SSS
IHE CAPITAL AREA TIMEX/BINCLAIR USER'S GROUP.
ee
1.8, is a not-for-profit group devoted to serving the
3 of those whe own, use, or are interested in the
nelair family of computers.
CATS
Za
C.A.1.8. maintains » gratis exchenge of newsletters with
approximately 30 Umare Groups across the U.B8. and Canada.
NEWSLETTER
Memberships cost $10 per year, are good for 12 months, and include
all privileges ( access to libraries, group buys, etc.). A newsletter
only subscription is available for persons living outeide the
Washington Metro Area and is $12.00 per year.
C.A,T.8. BBS
(301) 588-0579. G-N-1.
2A hours @ day.
300 baud only. News and general information.
C.A. 1.8. PUBLIC DOMAIN LIBRARY ( 206B-8PECTRUM ONLY)
C.0.1.8. maintains « tape iibrery of approximately 130 programs on
6 audio taper. A few of the programa may not run, however, the batch
iw stitt worth the price.
PRICES TAPE LIBRARY
MEMBERS: $1.25 per tape (#7.50 for complete library ) plum $1.40
postage.
NON-HEMBERS: #3.00 per tape ( 16,00 for complete library ) plus
41.40 postage.
TO PLACE AN ORDER! Bent your request and check ( made out to
C.A.1.8 ) 10 JOE WAYNE HELLER
1704 DAYTON RD.
HYATTSVILLE, HD.
20783 3
a9
3.5" Drive Systems
" Mitsubishi 00K.
9.29" Drive System
Dual 5.25° QOOK Systen-
This system comes complete with the disk
interface, dual Se D drives, cable
and case with janen supply. This gives
you a mass storage area of 1,440,000
bytes of data and programming. We set up
and test EVERY drive set that we sell!
fiternate Interfaces-
Tf you want expanded memory with your OL
disk system, we can supply TRUHP CARDS
starting as low ag $250 (256K). Other
sizes available upon request
WRITE FOR INFO OR CATALOG (#3)
Qual 3.5° Teac aOoK sistes:
Includes 2 — FD135 DSQD drives, case
w/psy cable & Interface. HUGE CAPACITY!
ORDER aewPT dg $425+90 Pl
Hany more packages available!
dust call or write with what you want.
Prices start at only $199.95 plus PH.
Individual components also ‘available.
ALSO 15-2060 - LKDOS - RAK DISK - PRINTERS - MONITORS
INTERFACES - PRINT BUFFERS - AB SWICHES - EVERYTHING AID
ALL SOFTWARE FOR THE SINCLAIR QL AND THE TS-2066
for ALL af vour computer needs, CALL-
RMG a ee
50
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